Synthesis and growth mechanism of macroscopic ZnO nanocombs and nanobelts

Macroscopic ZnO nanocombs and nanobelts have been synthesized by thermal evaporation with the catalyst of CuO. The lengths of these nanostructures range from several millimeters to more than one centimeter. The longest one is even beyond 2 cm. It was demonstrated that the nanostructures were affected by the proportion of the reaction mixture, the reaction source and the growth temperature. Our experimental results indicated that CuO plays an important role in the growth of macroscopic nanocombs and nanobelts. Furthermore, a possible growth mechanism of macroscopic nanocombs and nanobelts has been proposed.

► Macroscopic ZnO nanocombs and nanobelts were synthesized. ► The longest one is even beyond 2 cm. ► A possible growth mechanism of nanobelt was proposed.