Abstract
Hyphenation of thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and thermo-Raman spectrometer for in situ investigation of thermal decomposition of Zn(CH 3 COO) 2 ·2H 2 O forming ZnO nanoparticles (diameter ∼50 nm), using oxygen as carrier gas is executed simultaneously. Influence of carrier gas flow rate forming thin films is also investigated. The thermo-Raman spectra recorded at every degree interval could follow the intermediates formed. The thermo-Raman intensity thermograms of the characteristic bands provided information of the decomposition pathway and mechanism, and are supported by complementary characterizations using SEM, TEM, EDS, FT-IR, and XRD. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.