Synthesis of High Surface Area ZnO(0001) Plates as Novel Oxide Supports for Heterogeneous Catalysts

AbstractWe demonstrate a technique to prepare high surface area ZnO powders that preferentially favor a plate-like morphology, exposing the [FORMULA] facets. A solution-based synthetic route was used to decompose zinc acetate in the presence of amine and citrate ions to block the [FORMULA] facets and favor growth from the pyramid planes. The ZnO platelets remained stable upon heating to 250 °C as evidenced by electron diffraction patterns. The high surface area (75 m 2 /g) and surface energetics of the (0001) plane make these powders suitable as supports for heterogeneous catalysts.Graphical Abstract[IMAGE]