Formation of mushroom-like ZnO microcrystals through a solution calcination process

Mushroom-like ZnO microcrystals have been prepared via a solution calcination route, using Zn(NO3)2 as Zn source in the absence of any surfactants, templates or catalysts. This is the first example to prepare mushroom-like crystals as semiconductors, which are expected to show particular physical properties. The ZnO products were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum measurements. A suitable concentration of Zn(NO3)2 solution was important for the growth of the mushroom-like products. The reported synthetic procedure is straightforward and inexpensive, and thus can be readily adopted to produce large quantities of mushroom-like ZnO microcrystals.