Search

Novel hierarchical nanostructures have huge potential in different applications. Herein, we report a facile way of engineering different morphologies of zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films by using successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. By changing the degree of supersaturation, significant variation in the crystal orientation and the morphology were obtained for ZnO thin films. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study revealed wurtzite crystal structure of zinc oxide nanostructures, which was further supported by Raman spectra. Surface morphology unveils nanostructures such as nanoflakes, nanoflowers, and branched nanorods. To our best knowledge, this is the first report on branched nanorod nanostructures by SILAR method. Nucleation and crystal growth are driven by the amount of Zn(OH)42– species in the solution through which new structures can be obtained. Photoluminescence spectra revealed ultraviolet and visible emission (green and yellow) from all of the morphologies. Wettability test shows hydr...