Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Particles Using Microwave Plasma Techniques
Abstract
Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are important engineering materials with a multitude of applications. For example, ZnO can be readily sulfurized to ZnS, which can be used in forward-looking infrared optics and transparent ceramic windows that have myriad applications. There is a need to synthesize nanometric and spherical ZnO particles to ease processability and consolidation into bulk form. Atmospheric microwave plasma techniques have proven successful in the generation of spherical, nano-sized metal and ceramic particulates. Specifically, the aerosol-through-plasma (ATP) method has been successfully utilized to synthesize spherical boron nitride, a material with a hexagonal structure. Hence, ATP is a promising method to synthesize spherical ZnO, which also has a hexagonal structure (wurtzite). This thesis explores the use of atmospheric microwave plasma techniques using diverse operating parameters (between 700 and 900 watts), different Zn containing precursors, and various flow rates of carrier and plasma gases to produce ZnO particulates. The products generated using the atmospheric microwave plasma approach were characterized employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The optimized conditions to produce nanometric spherical ZnO were identified, providing a proof of concept for the utilization of plasma techniques to tailor the compositional and microstructural features of materials of interest.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1150929
Entities
People
- Robert E. Durham
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School