Crystalline ZnO nanorods with wurtzite-like structure and average diameter of 90 nm and length >1 µm, was prepared by calcination (700 ºC) of a Zn(II)/albumen hybrid obtained by sol-gel method, by the reaction of Zn(II) acetate and egg white (albumen), in aqueous solution. The material was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA), N2 adsorption/desorption (BET method), FT-IR and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The surface area was determined to be 6.91 m² g-1 by BET method. The TGA/DTA thermal events were consistent with the decomposition of albumen at 300 ºC and final formation of ZnO at 578.5 ºC. The results showed that albumen act as template playing essential role on defining the formation of ZnO nanorods with brush-like morphology.
brush-like ZnO nanorods; sol-gel method; egg white
