Controlled synthesis of oriented 1D ZnO nanostructures on transparent conductive substrates

Oriented one-dimensional ZnO nanostructures on transparent conductive substrates present interesting applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices. In this study, template-free electrode-position was employed to fabricate oriented one-dimensional ZnO nanostructures. Furthermore, it was found that morphologies and dimensions of these ZnO nanostructures can be controlled by adjusting several parameters during the electrodeposition process. The concentration of ZnCl2 in the electrolyte greatly affects the chemical composition and dimensions of the ZnO nanostructures. Arrays of ZnO nanorod could only be formed at relatively low concentration of ZnCl2. Highly-oriented arrays of ZnO nanorods with higher number density and smaller diameter could be obtained on the substrates with a thin layer of pre-coated ZnO nanoparticles or Pt metal. The applied potential and solution temperature also influence the growth rate of ZnO nanorods and thus led to the change of the dimensions of the nanstructures.