Synthesis and Characterization of Multi-Angular Branched ZnO Microstructures and Peculiar Nanopushpins Obtained by Thermal Treatment from Compacted ZnS Powder

• Published in: Solid state phenomena Vol. 286; pp. 23 - 30
• Main Authors: Pacio, Mauricio, Juárez, Héctor, Flores-Carrasco, G., Mora, J.R., Díaz-Rodríguez, T.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Zurich Trans Tech Publications Ltd 2019
• Subjects: Heat treatment; Morphology; Optoelectronics; Substrates; Wurtzite; Zinc oxide; Zinc sulfide; Zincblende; Zinc Oxide (ZnO); Nanostructures; Thermal Treatment; ZnS
• ISSN: 1012-0394; 1662-9779; 1662-9779
• DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.286.23

Multi-angular branched ZnO microstructures with rods-shaped tips and nanopushpins with hexagonal cap on top have been synthesized by a simple thermal treatment process of compacted ZnS powder used as starting material and substrate. The structures have been grown at different temperatures (800, 900 and 1000 °C) for 60 min, in a constant nitrogen environment at atmospheric pressure via a catalyst-free process. XRD results of the as-grown products from ZnS powder show a significant reduction in the cubic zincblende phase to the hexagonal wurtzite phase with the increase of treatment temperature, as compared to the bulk value. Post-anneal analyses indicated that the transformation of morphologies of the as-grown structures also depends strongly on the treatment temperature. The proposed method represents an easy and economical way to grow complex structures of ZnO, with a relatively short time, furthermore, without the neediness of use an external substrate to grow. These new and interesting nanostructures have potential in applications such as optoelectronics.