Few-Layer ZnO Nanosheets: Preparation, Properties, and Films with Exposed {001} Facets

Highly crystalline ZnO nanosheets have been prepared by the solvothermal transformation of a delaminated layered zinc hydroxide salt. This strategy has proven to be reproducible and scalable. The nanosheets, with a total thickness of 0.6-0.7 nm, are built from two or three stacked ZnO tetrahedral layers. The lateral size varies between 15 and 25 nm. The nanosheets can be arranged into transparent films with a high area of polar {001} facets. Defects in the ZnO films can be tuned by annealing.