Unusual corrugated nanowires of zinc oxide

We report an unusual morphology of ZnO nanowires with a hexagonal cross-section and corrugated side walls. Nanowires grow along the [0 0 0 1] direction and possess side walls built predominantly with facets of {1 0 1¯ 1} and {1 0 1¯ 1¯} families. Such a morphology deviates dramatically from the well-known growth habit of ZnO nanowires that involves smooth side walls represented by {1 0 1¯ 0} or {1 1 2¯ 0} facets with the lowest surface energy. The formation of corrugated nanowires is attributed to the lateral growth activated by the high vapor supersaturation and the presence of stacking faults.