Effect of Flow Rate on Characterizations of ZnO Nanofibers using Electrospinning Method

Abstract

ZnO nanofibers with polycrystalline structure were synthesized by an electrospinning method. X-ray diffraction measurements showed that ZnO nanofibers have pure hexagonal wurtzite structure. The effects of flow rate parameter on ZnO nanofibers were examined using atomic force microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy. The optical energy gap was estimated and optical behavior was studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy. It was found that the optical energy gap is (3.9) eV. It was noted that the average diameter of these nanofibers increases from (82-132) nm with increasing the flow rate from (1- 3) ml/h respectively. The length of the nanofibers reached to several microns.