Influence of fuel/oxidizer ratio on lattice parameters and morphology of combustion synthesized ZnO powders

We report synthesis of ZnO powders via dry combustion route. Among various parameters affecting the product formation during combustion synthesis, one is Fuel-to-oxidizer (F/O) ratio. In the present work, we have used urea as fuel and as a habit modifier. The crystallinity of ZnO is insensitive to F/O variations and fuel lean combustion procedures also leads to appropriate ZnO phase formation. Profile fitting analysis is carried out to correlate the observed and standard diffraction patterns for various samples coded SSD1 to SSD13. Williamson-Hall plot elucidates important contribution of size and strain in the diffraction pattern. Good correlation of lattice parameters is found to exist between calculated and standard values. Wealth of morphological forms (hexagonal pyramidal, spheriulitic, platelet) and a systematic growth trend is observed. Tailored morphological and consequentially engineered physical properties can be harnessed from ZnO when urea is used. The hexagonal pyramids are anticipated to be suitable for electronic and optoelectronic devices such as field emitters, optoelectronic devices for medical diagnostics, etc. The same morphology can be easily achieved via variation in urea content through cost effective technique. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.