Thermal evaporation synthesis of zinc oxide nanowires

High quality ZnO nanowires were synthesized at high temperature without using heterogenous catalysts. The nanowires had a uniform prismatic shape and were grown in a cacti-like morphology. Characterizations of the products by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed that the ZnO nanowires were single crystalline and of high purity. An intensive exciton emission was observed around 3.25 eV from the ZnO nanowires at room temperature. The growth mechanism was discussed based on the experimental conditions and the ZnO crystal growth habits. This growth method can be used to prepare other metal oxide nanowires.