A simple template-free immersion process to fabricate ZnO nanowire films on nanocrystalline zinc substrate at room temperature

A novel approach for synthesizing ZnO nanowire film is reported. The film is produced by immersing a nanocrystalline zinc electrodeposit in a NaCl solution at room temperature without template required. The ZnO nanowire film has an average wire diameter of 40 nm, which shows strong light absorption capability and high optoelectronic activity under UV illumination. This is a simple low-cost approach with the promise for large-scale production of ZnO nanowire films.