Synthesis of ZnO nanosheets by microwave thermal vapor method

Two-dimensional single-crystalline ZnO nanosheets have been successfully synthesized in high yield from a mixture of ZnO and graphite powders via a microwave thermal vapor process. Morphological analysis indicates that the widths and thickness of the nanosheets are in the range of several to tens of microm and 20-80 nm, respectively. ZnO nanosheets grew along the [0001] and [2110] directions, and the width-to-thickness ratio of the nanosheets could reach up to 1,000. The room temperature photoluminescence revealed that the ZnO nanosheets exhibited a weak ultraviolet (UV) emission at approximately 378 nm and a strong green emission at approximately 505 nm.