Preparation of ZnO2 Nanoparticles Using Organometallic Zinc(II) Isobutylcarbamate in Organic Solvent

Zinc peroxide nanoparticles ($ZnO_2$ NPs) were prepared by reacting zinc(II) isobutylcarbamate, as an organometallic precursor, with hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) at $60^{\circ}C$. Polyethylene glycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone were used as stabilizers, which suppressed aggregation of the $ZnO_2$ NPs. Conditions such as concentrations of $H_2O_2$ and the stabilizer were systemically controlled to determine their effect on the formation of nano-sized $ZnO_2$ NPs. The formation of stable $ZnO_2$ NPs was confirmed by UV-vis, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction. The TEM images revealed that polyvinylpyrrolidone-stabilized $ZnO_2$ NPs (diameter, 10-30 nm) were well dispersed in the organic solvent. Quite pure ZnO NPs were obtained from the peroxide powder by simple heat treatment of $ZnO_2$. The transition temperature of $170^{\circ}C$ was determined by differential scanning calorimetry.