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Synthesis of Hierarchical ZnO/CdSSe Heterostructure Nanotrees
Published on: November 29, 2016
Complex ZnO nanotree arrays with tunable top, stem and branch structures
Fenghua Zhao1, Jian-Guo Zheng, Xianfeng Yang
1State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies/MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen (Zhongshan) University, Guangzhou, P R China.
Nanoscale
|September 8, 2010
Summary
Researchers developed hierarchical zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures on zinc plates using a simple hydrothermal method. These complex ZnO arrays exhibit enhanced UV emission, suggesting high crystallinity for advanced material applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Solid State Chemistry
Background:
- Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures are crucial for optoelectronic devices.
- Controlling the morphology and growth of ZnO is key to tuning its properties.
- Developing cost-effective synthesis methods for complex ZnO architectures is an ongoing challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize hierarchical tree-, mushroom-, and cockscomb-like ZnO arrays.
- To investigate the crystal structure and orientation relationships within these complex nanostructures.
- To explore the influence of synthesis conditions on ZnO morphology and optical properties.
Main Methods:
- In situ growth of ZnO arrays on zinc plates via hydrothermal oxidation.
- Characterization using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM).
- Utilizing ethylenediamine (en) as a co-solvent to control nanostructure morphology.
Main Results:
- Successfully grown hierarchical ZnO arrays with varying complexity.
- Observed wurtzite ZnO growth predominantly along the [0001] direction.
- Identified a unique stem-branch orientation relationship and boundary attributed to lattice plane mismatch.
- Demonstrated tunable physical properties with enhanced UV emission and minimal visible light emission.
Conclusions:
- The hydrothermal oxidation method is effective for creating complex ZnO nanostructures.
- The co-solvent plays a critical role in controlling ZnO morphology and assembly.
- The synthesized ZnO nanostructures exhibit excellent crystalline quality, evidenced by strong UV emission.
