Synthesis of zinc and zinc oxide nanoparticles from zinc electrode using plasma in liquid

Nanoparticles are synthesized efficiently from zinc electrode by microwave plasma in liquid. The nanoparticles synthesized from alcohol resulted in pure zinc particles in the shape of spheres or hexagonal cylinders with a production rate of 3.3 g/h, and energy consumption of 267 J/mg for 1 mg. Whereas the nanoparticles synthesized in pure water are composed of Zn and ZnO. The Zn reacts with water through heat or the passage of time to become ZnO, releasing hydrogen gas. An upper disk placed 1 mm away from the electrode along with the bubbles generated simultaneously with the plasma ignition plays a key role in the synthesis of nanoparticles. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.