Efficient synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles, nanowalls, and nanowires by thermal decomposition of zinc acetate at a low temperature

ZnO nanoparticles, nanowires, and nanowalls were synthesized rapidly on Si via thermal decomposition of zinc acetate by a modified chemical vapor deposition at a low substrate temperature of 200- 250 degrees C for the first time. The diameters of the synthesized nanoparticles and nanowires are around 100 and 30 nm, respectively, and the thickness of nanowalls is around 20 nm. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy shows that the nanowires as well as nanowalls are single-crystalline, and the nanoparticles are highly-textured poly-crystalline structures. Room-temperature photoluminescence spectra of the nanostructures show strong ultraviolet emissions centered at 368-383 nm and weak violet emissions at around 425 nm, indicating good crystal quality. The study provides a simple and efficient route to synthesize ZnO diverse nanostructures at low temperature.