Effect of reaction parameters in synthesis, characterisation of electrodeposited zinc nanohexagons

Nanocrystalline zinc was electrodeposited by reducing the Zn2+ ion from acid sulphate bath at room temperature. The effect of reaction parameters on the particle size, nature and spectral characteristics are deliberated. The surface morphology and texture of zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs) were characterised by high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). SEM and TEM images showed the Zn NPs were in hexagonal structural morphology. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis reveals the chemical stoichiometry, and purity of the particles formed. The powder X-ray diffraction data indicates that the reflections of Zn NPs correspond hexagonal close packing structure with space group of P63/mmc. The line broadening was analysed by Debye-Scherrer equation and the average crystallite size of the zinc Nps synthesised at room temperature was in the range of 29 nm. Williamson-Hall analysis was used to study the contribution of crystallite size and lattice strain on the peak broadening. The surface plasmon resonance peak for the Zn NPs was observed near the blue shift with optical band gap of 3.38 eV. The influences of the current density, pH, additives, and concentration medium were analysed.