Zinc oxide is a multifunctional material withunique properties such as a high electrochemical coupling coefficient, highchemical stability, a broad range of radiation absorption, andbiocompatibility. It is also a wide band gap (3.37 eV) semiconductor used inoptoelectronics, ceramics, and laser technology. Owing to its piezo andpyroelectric properties, it can be used as a sensor, energy generator, andphotocatalyst for hydrogen production.

Employed in the preparation of NaZnSiO₃OH, a novel chiral framework material which has potential application in ion exchange, adsorption or catalysis.

Zinc oxide can be used as a starting material to prepare:

• Schottky diodes that are applied in radio-frequency energy-harvesting circuits.
• ZnO nanostructures for sensing applications. For example, it can be used to fabricate Cr₂O₃-ZnCr₂O₄ hetero-nanostructures for highly selective xylene sensors.