Comb-shaped ZnO powder synthesized through the melt oxidation of Al–Zn–C mixture in air

Abstract

Comb-shaped ZnO powder was synthesized through the direct melt oxidation of a source material mixed with Al, Zn, and graphite in air at atmospheric pressure. The comb-like structures were fabricated when the source material mixed with graphite, whereas only tetrapod-shaped ZnO powder was obtained for the source material without graphite. This result shows that graphite played a crucial role in the formation of comb-shaped ZnO powder. Room temperature photoluminescence spectrum of the comb-shaped ZnO powder revealed a green emission with a maximum peak at 520 nm.