Single-crystal ZnO flocky sphere formed by three-dimensional oriented attachment of nanoparticles

The nanostructure of a single-crystal ZnO flocky sphere was synthesized by using a simple chemical route in the Zn2+–triethanolamine system. Formation of such quasi-single-crystal nanostructures was achieved through oriented attachment of a large number of ZnO nanoparticles in three dimensions. It is suggested that the adsorption of triethanolamine molecules on the surface of ZnO particles plays an important role in their oriented attachment, leading to the formation of flocky spheres with single-crystal structure.