RESUMEN

The semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) has been widely used because it presents exclusive novel physical and chemical properties at the nanometer scale. In this work, ZnO nanocrystals were synthesized via solochemical processing in a few hours without any subsequent treatment. ZnCl2 and NaOH were adopted as synthesis precursors. ZnO production was realized at different reaction temperatures to verify the effect of this parameter on synthesis. The synthesis temperatures studied were 50 degrees C, 70 degrees C and 90 degrees C. The materials obtained at different reaction temperatures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the Rietveld method. The size and morphology of the ZnO particles obtained at 50 degrees C were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). ZnO powders have hexagonal wurtzite structure and nanometric-sized crystallites. Microstrain increased and the average crystallite size decreased with the increase in reaction temperature.