Sonochemical synthesis and characterization of nanometer-size transition metal oxides from metal acetates

Transition metal oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized sonochemically from metal acetates. The metal oxide nanoparticles are characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and BET nitrogen adsorption. The results of DRS are analyzed in detail, and the band gap energies for CuO, ZnO, and Co3O4 are seen to be 2.18, 3.35, and 2.26 (3.40), respectively. Different particle sizes, morphology, and yields are observed when water and 10% water-N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) are used as solvents, and the possible mechanisms are discussed.