Reverse micelles template assisted fabrication of ZnO hollow nanospheres and hexagonal microtubes by a novel fast microemulsion-based hydrothermal method

ZnO hollow micro/nanostructures were fabricated by a novel fast hydrothermal method based on the microemulsion. The aqueous reverse micelles were used as templates and different amount of Zn2+ colloid was compelled to hydrolyze on its surface. Scanning electron microscopy indicates that the products grown in the solution with colloid volume concentration of 12.3 and 0.5 v.% are hollow nanospheres and hexagonal microtubes, respectively. It is believed that this difference should attribute to the initial shape of hydrolysate and the core/shell state of water/surfactant during hydrothermal treatment.