Synthesis of ZnO nanocrystals with novel hierarchical structures via atmosphere pressure physical vapor deposition method

• Published in: Journal of crystal growth Vol. 294; no. 2; pp. 184 - 190
• Main Authors: Yan, Youguo, Zhang, Ye, Meng, Guowen, Zhang, Lide
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 04.09.2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: A1. Low dimensional structures; A3. Physical vapor deposition processes; B1. Nanomaterials; B2. Semiconducting II–VI materials; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Ii-vi semiconductors; Materials science; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Photoluminescence; Physics; 81.05.Dz; A1. Low dimensional structures; B2. Semiconducting II–VI materials; 81.07.−b; A3. Physical vapor deposition processes; B1. Nanomaterials; 68.70.+w; Scanning electron microscopy; Fluctuations; Inorganic compounds; A1. Low dimensional structures; A3. Physical vapor deposition processes; B1. Nanomaterials; B2. Semiconducting II-VI materials; Transition element compounds; Photoluminescence; Binary compounds; Supersaturation; 81.07.-b; 68.70.+w; 81.05.Dz; Crystal growth from vapors; XRD; Nanostructures; Experimental study; Zinc oxides; II-VI semiconductors; Growth mechanism; Physical vapor deposition; Wurtzite structure; Nanostructured materials; Nanocrystal; X-ray photoelectron spectra
• ISSN: 0022-0248; 1873-5002
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2006.06.049

The search for hierarchically organized ZnO nanocrystals have been intense in recent years, due to both fundamental interest in nanocrystal growth subjects and their potential applications as components for building nanodetectors, optoelectronic, vacuum microelectronic, and spintronic nanodevices. We reported the first observation of a variety of novel nanostructures, such as nanocandle arrays, wine-bottle-shaped rod arrays, nanorivet arrays, periodic diamond-string and needle arrays, nanofern and needle arrays, tooth-shaped belt, spinal-shaped nanostructures and bamboo-shaped nanorod via an atmosphere pressure physical vapor deposition method. The unique feature of our method is atmosphere chamber pressure, which can induce chaos and fluctuation of source vapor and facilities multiply growth mechanisms to have competing dominating effects on the crystal growth of ZnO. The SEM and photoluminescence spectra confirm that those nanostructured ZnO crystals possess satisfactory structural and optical qualities.