Metal aquo-complex mediated synthesis of zinc oxide-based structures

A method for preparing a dispersible powder composition, the composition comprising:

• metal oxide particles;
• and
• water molecules;
• wherein:
• a portion of the water molecules are associated with the surface of the metal oxide particles;
• the method comprising:
• dissolving at least one metal precursor in a first aqueous solution to afford a metal precursor solution;
• adding the metal precursor solution to a buffer solution comprising water and a buffer, thereby affording a combined solution;
• mixing the combined solution thereby causing the dispersible powder composition to precipitate from the combined solution;
• and
• optionally separating the dispersible powder composition from the combined solution;
• wherein the difference in temperature between the buffer solution and the metal precursor solution is from about 13 °C to about 78 °C.