Influence of polyvinylpyrrolidone coating on the surface morphology of ZnO microrods
Abstract
Zinc oxide (ZnO) microrods grown via hydrothermal method were coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Fourier transform infrared spectra of coated microrods confirm the successful adsorption of PVP molecules to the ZnO surface through the C=O ligand. The effect of coating concentration on the surface morphology of ZnO was investigated. Splitting of twin boundaries and coarsening of ZnO facets were observed after coating which suggests the dissolution of ZnO in the PVP solution. The pH values of the coating solutions used were found to be acidic in nature which explains the dissolution. The purpose of this study is to understand the surface modification of ZnO by PVP ligand adsorption.