Growth of high aspect ratio ZnO nanorods by solution process: Effect of polyethyleneimine

High aspect ratio ZnO nanorods were grown vertically on ZnO seed layer deposited silicon, glass and polyimide substrates by a solution process at low-temperature using zinc nitrate hexahydrate and hexamethylenetetramine. We studied the effect of polyethlyeneimine (PEI) on the growth of ZnO nanorods. It was found that PEI has a prominent effect on controlling the aspect ratio of ZnO nanorods in solution. The morphological and photoluminescence properties of the ZnO nanorods were also examined with varying the growth temperature (60–90 °C).

Graphical abstractWith addition of polyehyleneimine (PEI) high aspect-ratio ZnO nanorods were grown. It is believed that during ZnO nanorods growth, protonized form of linear PEI molecules inhibits the lateral growth by being adsorbed on non-polar lateral planes. Thus the vertical growth is favored.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A controlled growth of high aspect ratio ZnO nanorods on different substrates. ► A prominent effect of polyethlyeneimine (PEI) on controlling the aspect ratio of ZnO nanorods in solution. ► Precursor concentration and growth temperature effect for various aspect ratio ZnO nanorods.