Synthesis of aligned arrays of ultrathin ZnO nanotubes on a Si wafer coated with a thin ZnO film

Aligned arrays of ultrathin, high-quality ZnO nanotubes (see Figure) have been synthesized via hydrothermal growth methods on Si that has been pre-coated with a thin film of ZnO. The nanorods are single-crystalline, with typical wall thicknesses and outer diameters of 5-15 and 20-40 nm, respectively. Annealing the arrays in vacuum causes enhancement of UV photoluminescence.