Room temperature chemical synthesis of flower-like ZnO nanostructures

Flower-like ZnO nanostructures have been successfully synthesized by the simple chemical precipitation method at room temperature in distilled water medium and without using any capping agent. The nanostructure of the sample has been analyzed by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD pattern confirmed that the sample is of hexagonal phase of ZnO. The UV–visible optical absorption measurement shows the presence of UV absorption at ~ 260 nm in the sample dispersed in water. The room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the sample consists of near-band edge emission at ~ 360 nm as well as a violet emission band due to the presence of defect states in the sample. Also a reasonable growth mechanism is proposed for formation of flower-like ZnO nano-structures. [Display omitted] ► Flower-like ZnO nanostructures have been synthesised at room temperature. ► XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline nature and wurtzite phase of the sample. ► The synthesised nanostructure has strong absorptions in the UV region. ► The synthesised material exhibit strong near-band edge emission in the UV region.