Structure analyses and growth mechanism of ZnO nanoladders

Novel ZnO nanoladders have been synthesized by a simple chemical vapor deposition. Transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy investigations reveal that one ZnO nanoladder consists of two nanobelts whose growth directions are different to each other. The grain boundary in the middle of the junctions between the two nanobelts is clearly observed. A two-step growth model is speculated to interpret the growth of ZnO nanoladder based on the detailed structure analyses. The super-saturation of the Zn vapor and the Coulomb repulsion between the two nanobelts are the dominating factors for the growth of ZnO nanoladders.