The transformation of ZnO submicron dumbbells into perfect hexagonal tubular structures using CBD: a post treatment...

In this paper, we report the synthesis of dumbbell-shaped ZnO structures and their subsequent transformation into perfect hexagonal tubes by the extended chemical bath deposition (CBD) method, retaining all advantages such as reproducibility, simplicity, quickness and economical aspect. Well-dispersed sub-micron-sized dumbbell-shaped ZnO structures were synthesized on a SiO2/Si substrate by the CBD method. As an extension of the CBD process the synthesized ZnO dumbbells were exposed to the evaporate coming out of the chemical bath for a few minutes (simply by adjusting the height of the deposit so that it remained just above the solution) to convert them into hexagonal tubes via the dissolution process. The possible dissolution mechanism responsible for the observed conversion is discussed. The optical properties (photo-luminescence) recorded at low temperature on both the structures showed an intense, sharp excitonic peak located at ∼370 nm. The improved intensity and low FWHM of the UV peak observed in the hexagonal tubular structures assures high optical quality, and hence can be used for optoelectronic applications.