Synthesis, growth mechanism and effect of sputtering pressure on 3D ZnO nanostructures with trunk-branch nanorods

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) ZnO nanostructures, hierarchical nanorods with trunks and branches, were synthesized via a multi-step growth method. The ZnO trunk-branch nanorods are immobilized on glass substrates and their fabrication technologies include the deposition of ZnO seed crystals by magnetron sputtering and the hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanorods without any directing agents. The sputtering pressure for the deposition of ZnO seed crystals was varied and the corresponding effect on the morphology and microstructure of 3D ZnO nanostructures was characterized by various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The growth mechanism of ZnO trunk-branch nanorods was discussed and their optical property was also explored. The multi-level constructions of ZnO nanorods would benefit their photo-related functional applications.