High-Speed Growth of ZnO Nanorods in Preheating Condition Using Microwave-Assisted Growth Method

In this study, we present the microwave-assisted growth (MAG) of ZnO nanorods (ZNRs) using a preheating hydrothermal method under tailored preheating and postheating growth conditions. The perimeters such as solution concentration, preheating time, and postheating time, were changed to optimize ZNR growth and the growth was carried out in a domestic 850 watt microwave oven. Preheated solution was utilized as an accelerator to increase the aspect ratio of the ZNRs and reduce the fabrication time. Because of a long fabrication time and limited length in the conventional MAG method, preheating condition was used for efficient growth of nanorods through homogeneous nucleation in the solution and then heterogeneous nucleation of the formed ZNRs on seeded substrate during postheating process. The nanostructures were characterized with scanning electron microscopy to look at the morphology and dimensions. Dimensions of ZNRs kept on increasing as the molar concentration went higher. Preheating time highly affected the morphology, dimensions, and aspect ratio of ZNRs and postheating time not only ensured the stability of ZNRs with substrate due to heterogeneous nucleation process but also influenced the morphology of ZNRs.