In Situ Synthesis of Nanosized ZnO Particle/Organic Hybrids

A nanocrystalline ZnO particle/organic hybrid was synthesized in situ from zinc acrylate (ZA) using hydrazine derivatives. Nanosized ZnO particles were formed in the organic matrix by hydrolysis and polymerization of ZA at 65 °C. Methylhydrazine was the most suitable reagent for the synthesis of nanosized ZnO particles in the organic matrix. The crystallinity of ZnO particles depended upon the amount of water and the reaction time and increased with increasing reaction time as well as with the amount of water. Highly transparent ZnO particle/organic film was prepared from the hybrid solid between silica plates by pressing at 50 °C. UV–visible spectra showed an absorption edge corresponding to the size of the ZnO particles. The band gap energy of the hybrid was dependent upon the particle size, which reflected the synthesis conditions. ZnO particles in the hybrid exhibited stabilized particle size and absorption edge through chemical bonds to the polymer matrix at ambient temperature.