Flux Assisted Shape Tunable Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Microflowers

A simple template free ZnO microflowers have been successfully fabricated by using a simple thermal decomposition process. Thermal decomposition of zinc acetate facilitated at 205 C for 12 h results flower shaped ZnO. The microflowers were self-assembled by microrods. The effect of addition of NaCl flux on the morphology and crystal structure has been investigated and the results indicated that the addition of flux influenced the morphology of the synthesized ZnO. The XRD results indicated formation of pure wurtzite phase ZnO at both conditions and HR-TEM results confirmed single and polycrystalline nature of ZnO in the absence and presence of flux respectively. A plausible mechanism of microflower has been discussed on the basis of experimental results.