Zinc oxide whiskers by thermal oxidation method

Abstract

ZnO whiskers were grown in quartz tube by thermal oxidation method. Zinc powder was heated in a horizontal quartz tube with a furnace at a temperature of 700°C for 2 hr, under normal atmosphere. Three different kinds of the products can be obtained after the oxidation process. One is transparent whiskers located at the bottom of the quartz tube. Next is cotton-like bulk and the other is white, fluffy product. The products were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). It was found that the products composed of whiskers and tetrapod whiskers. The lengths and the diameter of whiskers were in the range of 10-240 mm and 0.20 - 4.60 mm, respectively while the percent of yield was up to 20% by weight. The lengths and the diameter of tetrapod whiskers were in the range of 3.15-10.63 mm and 0.13- 2.64 mm while the percent of yield was up to 68% by weight.