Preparation of zinc oxide with a three-dimensionally interconnected macroporous structure via a sol–gel method accompanied by phase separation

A facile method for the preparation of zinc oxide with three-dimensionally (3D) interconnected macropores has been developed. The Zn-based monolithic gel was obtained using citric acid (CA) as a structure supporter via an epoxide-mediated sol–gel method accompanied by phase separation. The size of t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNew journal of chemistry Vol. 43; no. 29; pp. 11720 - 11726
Main Authors Lu, Xuanming, Kanamori, Kazuyoshi, Nakanishi, Kazuki
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 07.08.2019
Subjects
Carbon content
Chemical compatibility
Citric acid
Heat treatment
Morphology
Organic chemistry
Phase separation
Propylene oxide
Sol-gel processes
Zinc oxide
Zinc oxides
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Summary:A facile method for the preparation of zinc oxide with three-dimensionally (3D) interconnected macropores has been developed. The Zn-based monolithic gel was obtained using citric acid (CA) as a structure supporter via an epoxide-mediated sol–gel method accompanied by phase separation. The size of the macropores could be controlled by the ratio of methanol to propylene oxide in the starting solution. The Zn-based gel was heat-treated in air with the purpose of removing the organic components and crystallizing the ZnO, finally resulting in pure ZnO (purity >90%, with negligible carbon content) with 3D interconnected macropores and an open nanoscale network. The influence of the starting solvent composition on the Zn-based gel morphologies has been examined and discussed based on the chemical compatibility of the Zn–CA complex with other components.
ISSN:1144-0546
1369-9261
DOI:10.1039/C9NJ02373A