Synthesis and characterization of nano-sized ε-Zn(OH)2 and its decomposed product, nano-zinc oxide

ε-Zn(OH)2, a wulfingite-type material by using wet chemical method was synthesized. D-Gluconate was used in different percentages as size decreasing agent during the synthesis of ε-Zn(OH)2. Powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and thermogravimetry analyses confirmed the formation of production. Also, powder X-ray diffraction analysis showed the decrease of the crystallite size of ε-Zn(OH)2 particles by increasing in D-gluconate concentration. When ε-Zn(OH)2 was heat-treated at 300 oC, nano-zinc oxide was obtained with smaller mean crystallite sizes when compared with the parent material, ε-Zn(OH)2.