Development and optical study of hexagonal multi-linked ZnO micro-rods grown using hexamine as capping agent

We report here the realization of hexagonal structural development of linked zinc oxide (ZnO) micro-rods through a chemical synthesis route using hexamine (hexamethylenetetramine) as capping agent. This is a fast, simple, and reproducible method which does not require any template, catalyst, or surfactant but can control the morphology of ZnO crystals. The influence of time-period of heat-treatment was investigated for the formation of linked ZnO rods. For structural study and analysis, the fabricated microstructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of investigation show a preferential growth by the selective capping. We demonstrate the optical properties of our chemically synthesized structures using UV–vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. These results will be useful in the development of materials to be used in visible light-emitting and photonic devices.