Transformation of layered hydroxide zinc benzoate nanosheets into ZnO nanocrystals by electron beam irradiation

Abstract

A novel process for synthesis of ZnO nanocrystals from exfoliated layered hydroxide zinc benzoate nanosheets has been developed. In this process, first a layered hydroxide zinc benzoate compound was exfoliated into the layered hydroxide zinc benzoate nanosheets of elementary host layer of the layered compounds in ethanol solvent. This organic-inorganic hybrid nanosheet was transformed into ZnO nanocrystals under electron beam irradiation conditions. The exfoliation reaction of the layered compounds and the transformation reaction from the exfoliated nanosheet into ZnO nanocrystals were investigated using XRD, SEM and TEM analyses. In the structural transformation reaction from the nanosheet into the ZnO nanocrystals, first the benzoate ions on the nanosheet are degraded by electron beam, then the zinc hydroxide become unstable, and finally the nanosheet is dehydrated to ZnO nanocrystals. The ZnO nanocrystals prepared by this process have a crystal size of about 5 nm and high crystallinity.