Self-assembly of ZnO nanorods and nanosheets into hollow microhemispheres and microspheres

Hollow microhemisphere and microsphere patterns (see Figure) can be selectively created from the self-assembly of ZnO nanorods and thin nanosheets, respectively. It appears that these distinctive superstructures can evolve from spherical-nanocluster-based aggregates under controlled conditions, presenting the promise of a self-assembly route to curved, multidimensionally ordered superstructures from one and two-dimensional nanocrystal building blocks.