Nanocrystalline ZnO from siloxy-substituted single-source precursors

We report here the synthesis and growth of nanocyrstalline ZnO particles fr om solid and the CVS of nanoparticles size < 10 nm from siloxy-substituted di-, tri-,tetra- and polynuclear ZnO-clusters. ZnO is of interest for a wid e range of applicaticons; such as electrodes for solar cells or for electro luminescence devices. The ZnO-aggregates as molecular precursors are accessible by simple reactio ns of ZnR'(2) with the respective silanoles R3SiOH, affording the dimeric [ (Me3Si)(2)NZnOSiR3](2), trinuclear [(MeZn)(2)Zn(OSiR3)(4)], tetranuclear he terocubanes [MeZnOSiR3](4) and the polymeric [(Me3SiO)(2)Zn](n) respectivel y. Surprisingly, they are useful single-source precursors for low-temperatu re synthesis of ZnO particles in solid state and through chemical vapor syn thesis (CVS).