Comparative study on the properties of ZnO nanowires and nanocrystalline thin films

► Nanocrystalline ZnO thin films and ZnO nanowires (NW) were studied and compared. ► The optical properties of ZnO thin films are influenced by quantum size effects. ► Sol-gel grown ZnO films and electrochemically grown ZnO NW have wurtzite structure. ► ZnO nanowires are more sensitive to low water vapor pressures than ZnO thin films.