ZnOksi

ZnOksi is a term encountered in some Slavic-language sources to denote zinc oxide (ZnO) and related zinc oxide–based materials. It is not an officially standardized chemical name; the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and most international literature use ZnO for zinc oxide and ZnOx for non-stoichiometric oxide compositions. In many contexts, ZnOksi simply refers to zinc oxide–type oxides or nanoscale variants used in research and industry.

Zinc oxide is a wide-band-gap semiconductor. At room temperature, the stable phase is hexagonal wurtzite with lattice constants a approximately 3.25 Å and c approximately 5.2 Å. It has a direct band gap of about 3.37 eV, giving it transparency in the visible region and strong absorption in the ultraviolet. Defects such as oxygen vacancies and zinc interstitials influence conductivity, color, and optical response. Nanoscale forms, including nanorods, nanowires, and nanoparticles, exhibit size- and shape-dependent properties, often enhancing surface activity and quantum effects. Doping with elements such as aluminum, gallium, or lithium can modify electrical conductivity and optical behavior.

ZnOksi materials are produced by various methods: precipitation, sol-gel, hydrothermal synthesis, vapor-phase deposition (molecular beam epitaxy, chemical vapor deposition), sputtering, and electrochemical techniques. Control of particle size, morphology, and defect concentration is critical for applications in optoelectronics, sensors, and catalysis.

Applications span ultraviolet shielding, cosmetic filters, ceramics, varistors, gas and chemical sensors, photocatalysis, and as electron transport layers in solar cells and light-emitting devices. Nanostructured ZnO-based materials are particularly investigated for photocatalysis and antibacterial activity.

ZnO and its oxide forms pose limited acute toxicity risks but can irritate respiratory and ocular tissues; proper handling and ventilation are recommended for powder forms.