Controlled scalable synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles

Zinc oxide nanoparticles are formed under continuous flow using spinning disc processing (SDP). Synthetic parameters such as temperature, flow rate, disc speed, and surface texture influence the reaction kinetics and particle size in an ethanolic solution using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a capping agent. SDP ensures intense mixing, accelerates nucleation and growth, and affords monodispersed ZnO nanoparticles with controlled particle size. UV-visible spectroscopy shows the formation of particles down to a size of 1.3 nm and polydispersities of approximately 10%, as well as subnanometer clusters. Modification of the temperature and flow rate provides control of the particle size and polydispersity, albeit with the nanoparticles slowly undergoing ripening post-SDP.