Fabrication of Zn(OH)₂/ZnO nanosheet-ZnO nanoarray hybrid structured films by a dissolution-recrystallization Route

Zn(OH)₂/ZnO nanosheet-ZnO nanoarray hybrid structured films were fabricated on F-doped SnO₂-coated glass by a dissolution- recrystallization route without any additives. The as-deposited c-axis-oriented ZnO nanowhisker films were soaked in hot distilled water for various periods of time. X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy clarified that the dissolution of ZnO induced Zn(OH)₂ to grow on the surface of the ZnO nanowhiskers film by heterogeneous nucleation and growth. The morphology of the Zn(OH)₂ nanosheets was found to be controllable by the dissolution-recrystallization of as-deposited ZnO nanowhiskers in hot distilled water. ZnO with an almost identical morphology could also be produced by a dehydration reaction. Given the highly porous nature and the strong adsorption properties of the as-fabricated hybrid structured films, it is expected that they will have a variety of potential applications including dye-sensitized gas sensors and solar cells, and photocatalysis systems.