Diatom frustules decorated with zinc oxide nanoparticles for enhanced optical properties
Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized on diatomite (DE) surface by a low
temperature sol gel technique, starting from zinc acetate dihydrate (Zn(CH3COO)2?·?2H2O)
solution in water/ethyl alcohol, in presence of triethanolamine (TEA) with functions of Zn2+
chelating agent, catalyst and mediator of nanoparticle growth on DE surface. Microstructural
features were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction.
ZnO crystalline nanoparticles, well distributed both on the surface and into the porous