Room temperature synthesis of ZnO nanoflowers on Si substrate via seed-layer assisted solution route

ZnO nanoflowers were grown on Si substrate through the adoption of a ZnO seed-layer with unique morphology and subsequent immersing in suitable growth medium. Depending on the ZnO seed-layers, ZnO nanostructures varied from nanosheets to nanoflowers. The ZnO nanoflower is composed of nanosheets with 20–30 nm in thickness. XRD results revealed a hexagonal phase of these nanostructures. The ZnO nanoflowers can exhibit strong UV and relatively weak visible luminescence at room temperature. The water wettability of the ZnO nanoflowers showed good hydrophilic property without UV illumination.