A novel processing route for the production of nanoparticulate zinc oxide using an isophthalate precursor

Zinc oxide nanoparticles have been processed from a novel isophthalate precursor. In contrast to those processed from an oxalate precursor, this material exhibits three-dimensional, non-directional aggregation behaviour. Such non-directional aggregation of uniaxial crystallites may allow for the production of structures with a higher proportion of catalytically active surfaces than can be prepared through conventional sol-gel methods. XRD, FTIR, TEM and SEM were used to characterize the synthesized materials. Zinc oxide particles synthesized by using isophthalic acid (C₆H ₄-1,3-(COOH)₂) are found to be slightly smaller than the previously reported materials prepared through chelation with oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₂2H₂O).