Microwave-assisted synthesis of hexagonal structure ZnO micro-tubes

ZnO micro-tubes were successfully synthesized by microwave assisted from a facile chemical solution reaction without addition of any surfactant in only 20 min. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) were used to examine the morphology and microstructure of ZnO micro-tubes. The results showed that ZnO micro-tube was single crystalline in hexagonal structure. A formation mechanism of hexagonal structure ZnO microtube assembled with tiny nanorods was also proposed in paper.

► Large-scale ZnO micro-tubes were synthesized by microwave assisted in a short time. ► Molar ratio of KOH is the key factor for obtaining ZnO tube structure. ► The influence of microwave irradiated time on the morphology was investigated. ► Growth mechanism of ZnO micro-tube assembled with tiny nanorods is proposed.