Effect of temperature on the structure, catalyst and magnetic properties of un-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles: experimental and DFT calculation

Abstract

Zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using sol–gel and hydrothermal techniques and characterized at different calcination temperatures (400, 500, and 600 °C). The study included an analysis of morphology, crystalline phase, particle size, elemental analysis, specific surface area and chemical state. Various characterization methods were employed, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), surface analysis (BET), nitrogen absorption and desorption (N₂-desorption), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (TGA-DSC), temperature-programmed reduction of hydrogen (H₂-TPR). Additionally, magnetic properties ZnO nanoparticles were investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR). The investigation revealed changes in reduction behavior, electron spin states, and magnetic properties. The interplay between defects, crystallization, and stability underscores the complexity of ZnO-NPs. These findings contribute to our understanding of nanomaterials and their potential applications in various fields. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations with a Hubbard U correction were performed to investigate native defects in ZnO and ZnOCH structures under oxygen-poor (low temperature), oxygen-rich (high temperature) and equilibrium (average temperature) conditions. The formation energies of native defects were calculated, and ESR spectra were simulated to analyze the presence and absence of CO, C–O, CH, and OH bands, as well as to identify the native defects present during growth. The results of the formation energy calculations and the simulated ESR spectra showed that the growth environment influences the native defects that occur during the ZnO preparation process. Inconsistencies between the calculation of formation energy and the ESR spectra suggested that the CO, C–O, CH, and OH bands were negligible and could be disregarded in the ZnO nanoparticles. The findings from this study contribute to a deeper understanding of ZnO-NPs, enabling the optimization of their properties for specific applications, such as effective catalysts in chemical reactions.