Controlled synthesis of oriented single-crystal ZnO nanotube arrays on transparent conductive substrates

Large-scale arrays of highly oriented single-crystal ZnO nanotubes (ZNTs) are successfully fabricated on transparent conductive substrates by a simple method from an aqueous solution at a low temperature (typically 85 degrees C). The tubular morphology of the ZnO nanostructures is formed by a defect-selective chemical etching of the electrodeposited ZnO nanorods. The size of the ZNT arrays is determined by that of ZnO nanorod arrays which can be readily controlled by tuning several electrodeposition parameters. The present method can be employed to prepare ZNT arrays on flexible, conductive substrates, as well as on patterned conductive substrates. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.