Synthesis of ZnO nanotetrapods

ZnO tetrapods have been grown on silicon substrates by chemical vapor deposition, and the effect of synthesis conditions on their morphology and size has been studied. The cathodoluminescence spectra of the tetrapods show two emissions characteristic of ZnO, in the UV and green spectral regions. Their relative intensities depend on the vapor composition during synthesis and annealing conditions. A mechanism of tetrapod growth at significant supersaturations is discussed.