Synthesis of metallic zinc nanoparticles by electrolysis

The present work proposes a method for fabricating metallic zinc (Zn) nanoparticles in aqueous solution. An aqueous colloidal solution of metallic Zn nanoparticles was prepared from Zn acetate by electrolysis under ultrasonic irradiation in water. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry revealed that metallic Zn nanoparticles with a crystal structure of hexagonal and a particle size of ca. 130 nm were produced using carbon bars as electrodes. However, the carbon that peeled off with the ultrasonic irradiation was included in the nanoparticles. High-purity metallic Zn nanoparticles with sizes of 30–90 nm could be fabricated using metallic Zn plates as the electrodes. The metallic Zn nanoparticles were chemically stable in both aqueous solution and the atmosphere. The chemically-stable metallic Zn nanoparticles are expected to be applied to catalyst, fabrication of alloy nanoparticles composed of Zn and other metals, anti-rust paint, etc.