Low-temperature synthesis of ZnO nanonails

Wurtzite ZnO nanonails on silicon substrate were successfully synthesized by thermal vapor transport and condensation method at a low temperature without a metal catalyst. Pure Zn powders were used as raw material and O2/Ar powders as source gas. The products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results show that the deposited nanostructures include aligned ZnO nanonails. The ZnO nanonails, with crystalline cap and small-diameter shafts, grow along the c-axis. The optical properties have been revealed by photoluminescence spectra. We considered that the ZnO nanonails growth is a vapor–solid process.