Salt assisted synthesis of shape controlled ZnO nanostructures

A new method to form ZnO nanostructures such as ZnO nanorods, ZnO nanosheets and tetrapods by using Zn and LiCl as vapor source has been demonstrated. Especially, ultra-thin ZnO nanosheets with thickness of 3 nm have been synthesized. The nanosheets were characterized by a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the software Java EMS (JEMS) has been used to estimate their thickness. The formation of these ZnO nanostructures is related to the adsorption of LiCl molecules on ZnO planes, which acted as a capping agent to restrict growth on certain surfaces. As ZnO is one promising material for optoelectronic and electronics, these nanostructrures have attractive applications in nanoelectronics.