Synthesis, Optical Characterization and Growth Mechanism of Centimeter Long ZnO Nanocombs

Abstract

ZnO nanocombs were successfully synthesized by thermal evaporation with the catalyst of CuO. The lengths of these ZnO nanocombs range from several millimeters to more than one centimeter. It was demonstrated that the quantities and quality of the nanostructures were affected by the reaction source and the growth temperature. The appearance of Cu₂O (220) diffraction peak coincided with previous TEM results, which indicated that the CuO powder did involve in the growth process. Wedge interfere experiment revealed that the thickness along the comb branch growth direction was different, while the thickness along the ribbon was the same. In the end, a possible growth mechanism of ZnO nanocombs was proposed.

Keywords:

• Thermal evaporation
• nanocombs
• wedge interfere
• growth mechanism