Controllable Synthesis of ZnO Nanostructures with Various Morphologies

Utilizing the silicon as substrate, ZnO nanostructures with various morphologies, including nanorod, nanotube, nanoinjector and nanoplate, were synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition without catalysts. The control on the morphology of nanostructures was achieved by forming a temperature gradient in the tube furnace and controlling the oxygen partial pressure in the reaction system. The as-synthesized nanostructures were characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, merged ZnO nanoplates were prepared at proper conditions, which are expected to be merged further and eventually grown into a ZnO single-crystalline film with high quality.