Templated synthesis of urchin-like zinc oxide particles by micro-combustion

Micro-combustion initiated by dielectric bar- tier discharge plasma has been applied for the removal of carbon template to prepare urchin-like ZnO particles. The combustion is operated at atmospheric pressure and low gas temperature （less than 150 ℃）, and the template is fully decomposed and rapidly removed. The obtained urchin-like ZnO possesses two distinct morphologies： nanosheets and sub-micro rods. The unique morphologies form on ZnO hexagonal nuclei with the template effect of activated carbon.