Synthesis and luminescence properties of novel ZnO nanostructures: micro and nanospheres, polyhedral cages, tetra-pods, needles, tipped nanorods, nanowires and other “microphone–shaped” structures

Abstract

ABSTRACTNovel ZnO nanostructures such as hollow nanospheres, nano-cages, nanoneedles, tetra-pods, nanowires, aligned nanorods and nanotubes are synthesized via thermal evaporation of ZnO and graphite powder mixtures in reduced oxygen atmosphere in the presence of argon and nitrogen flows. The ZnO nanostructures, especially nanospheres, have a unique shape and are hollow inside with walls densely decorated with aligned nanowires. Photoluminescence of synthesized ZnO structures measured at 300 K exhibits a strong near band edge peak at ∼380 nm and deep level green band centered at ∼550 nm. Fabricated ZnO structures can be studied for various applications in optoelectronics and sensors.