Formation of zinc oxide film by boiling metallic zinc film in ultrapure water

A simple method for forming zinc oxide (ZnO) films has been discovered. Radio-frequency (rf) sputtered metallic zinc (Zn) film is boiled in ultrapure water at 368 K. The opaque Zn film changes into a transparent film. It is confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction that the transparent film is hexagonal ZnO. Optical and morphological properties of the ZnO film are discussed.