Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles and Their Ink-Jetting Behavior

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized by ultrasonically-assisted solution process without using any surfactants. The as-synthesized spherical ZnO nanoparticles with diameter of 20 +/- 5 nm possessed crystalline nature with wurtzite hexagonal phase and showed a blue-shifted near bandedge ultra-violet absorption at similar to 340 nm due to quantum confinement effect of ZnO nanoparticles. The as-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were further formulated as an ink for ink-jet printing application. Jetting and writing of various line patterns on Si and ITO substrates were demonstrated using the as-formulated ZnO ink. UV-treated substrates showed an improvement in the fixation of ink on substrate due to decreased contact angle with controlled surface wettability.