Formation of ZnO Nanoparticles by the Reaction of Zinc Metal with Aliphatic Alcohols*

Abstract

The reaction of aliphatic alcohols such as methanol, ethanol and t-butanol with zinc powder at 330 degrees C under solvothermal conditions produces ZnO nanoparticles. The reaction involves the cleavage of the C-O bond of the alcohols, which occurs readily on the Zn metal surface. Addition of ethylenediamine to the reaction mixture yields nanorods, the amine acting as a shape-controlling agent.