ZnO interconnected network nanostructures grown on cracked GaN by the aqueous solution method

ZnO interconnected network nanostructures are grown on cracked GaN substrate using aqueous solution method in this paper. ZnO nanostructures nucleate in the sidewall of crack and selectively grow along the crack direction on the GaN substrate. Due to the diversity of the crack, the nanostructures show interconnected network structures. Time-dependent of ZnO nanostructure morphology evolution shows the network nanostructures are formed by self-organized growth by interconnection of nanorods. The average diameter of the nanorods is around 500–600 nm. Micro-Raman spectroscopy shows the nanostructures are under tensile stress. Meanwhile, the nanostructures also show good optical quality. The interconnecting structure characteristics, high degree of networking make them potential applications in ultra-sensitive gas sensing, exciton based photonic devices.