Investigation of Fuel Type on synthesis of ZnO nanostructure by solution combustion method

Solution Combustion Synthesis (SCS) is based on oxidation and reduction reactions. In this investigation uses two types of fuel (Urea and Glycine). Zinc nitrate acts as oxidizer and fuels as reduction agents. Because SCS occurs at fast heating rates, in the first place DSC-TGA carried out from zinc nitrate in 3 rates of 10, 20 and 30 °C per minute. The results of these tests showed that the decomposition temperatures of zinc nitrate and glycine fuel are almost in the same range. Then the zinc oxide nanoparticles produced using these two fuels were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) test. The XRD results showed the prefect synthesis of ZnO in air atmosphere for both fuels. Glycine can synthesis the product better than urea and with more fine-grained structure. The better performance of glycine in the synthesis of nanoparticles with smaller dimensions can be attributed to the proximity of the decomposition temperature of zinc nitrate and glycine fuel and the role of this simultaneity in preventing the growth of zinc oxide crystals. So, the SEM images and EDX analysis are taken form this sample.