Analysis Of Zinc Oxide

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The ZnO crystallizes in a few forms which are wurtzite, zinc blende and rocksalt as shown in Figure 2.4. The wurtzite structure is the most thermodynamically stable phase under ambient temperature and also very common. The zinc blende ZnO geometry can be stabilized only by growth on cubic lattice substrates and the rocksalt structure (NaCl structure) can be obtained at relatively high pressures using ultrasonic wave velocity measurements of up to 10 GPa. (Morkoc).
It occurs naturally as the mineral zincite, but most zinc oxide is produced synthetically (Marcel). Zinc oxide have an array of nanostructures, such as nanorods, nanotubes, nanorings and nanotetrapods (Varadan et. al).
ZnO is a relatively soft material. Compared to Group III nitrides, the elastic …show more content…

Commercial zinc oxide shows a measurable but low level of water solubility, 0.005 g/litre. Zinc oxide is amphoteric, that is it reacts with both acids and alkalis. With acid it reacts to form familiar compound such as zinc sulfate. With alkali it forms zincates. Zinc oxide exposed to air absorbs both water vapor and carbon dioxide. This results in the formation of basic zinc carbonate.
Zinc oxide also undergoes solid state reactions (calcination) at moderately elevated temperatures. Under electron microscopic examination, commercial zinc oxide frequently shows groups of particles that are conjoined, rather than loosely agglomerated. Zinc oxide calcines with other oxides such as silica and magnesia.

2.3.5 Potential and emerging applications of zinc oxide
Because of its diverse properties, both chemical and physical, zinc oxide is widely used in numerous areas. Among the various potential applications of ZnO that are applicable in today’s industries ranging from rubber to pharmaceutical, from textiles to agriculture, and from electronics and electrotechnology industries. The use of zinc oxide is not limited to only a certain region or area, but rather it is use

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