Catalytic growth of one-dimensional single-crystalline ZnO nanostructures on glass substrate by vapor transport

Novel one-dimensional single-crystalline ZnO nanorod and nanoneedle arrays on a Cu catalyst layer-coated glass substrate were investigated via a simple physical vapor-deposition method by thermal evaporation of Zn powder in the presence of O2 gas. The ZnO nanorods and nanoneedles were synthesized along the c-axis growth direction of the hexagonal crystal structure. The diameter and growth rate of the high-quality and well-oriented one-dimensional ZnO nanostructures is achieved as a function of varying growth temperature and growth time. This study serves as the basis for further research on the growth of 1D ZnO nanostructures on a cost-effective glass substrate and at low temperature.