A novel processing route for the production of nanoparticulate zinc oxide using an isophthalate precursor

Zinc oxide nanoparticles have been processed from a novel isophthalate precursor. In contrast to those processed from an oxalate precursor, this material exhibits three-dimensional, non-directional aggregation behaviour. Such non-directional aggregation of uniaxial crystallites may allow for the production of structures with a higher proportion of catalytically active surfaces than can be prepared through conventional sol–gel methods. XRD, FTIR, TEM and SEM were used to characterize the synthesized materials. Zinc oxide particles synthesized by using isophthalic acid (C 6 H 4 -1,3-(COOH) 2 ) are found to be slightly smaller than the previously reported materials prepared through chelation with oxalic acid (H 2 C 2 O 2 ·2H 2 O).