Synthesis of hydrophobic nanostructured zinc borate from zinc carbonate, and characterization of the product

Abstract

In general, zinc oxide and boric acid are used to produce zinc borate. In this study, zinc carbonate was used instead of zinc oxide as the novel zinc source. The purpose of this study was to synthesize hydrophobic, nanostructured zinc borate (3ZnO center dot 3B(2)O(3)center dot 3.5H(2)O) by reaction of zinc carbonate, instead of zinc oxide, with boric acid reference material, and with zinc borate reference material as seed. The modifying agents propylene glycol, kerosene, and oleic acid were used to produce hydrophobic zinc borate. Different solvents (isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, and methanol) were used to obtain a homogeneous phase. The effects of different modifying agents and solvents on the hydrophobicity and nanostructure of the product were investigated. The synthesized zinc borate was characterized by X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Contact angles were measured to determine the hydrophobicity of the products and scanning electron microscopy was used to study both the morphology and nanostructure of the products. Hydrophobic, nanostructured zinc borate was successfully produced by use of zinc carbonate instead of zinc oxide as the novel zinc source. Use of different modifying agents and solvents affected both hydrophobicity and nanostructure.