Low-temperature fabrication of bunch-shaped ZnO nanowires using an sodium hydroxide aqueous solution

By the forced-hydrolysis-initiated-nucleation of anhydrous zinc acetate, bunch-shaped ZnO nanowires film was successfully fabricated in an aqueous solution of zinc acetate and sodium hydroxide at low temperature. X-ray diffraction and a field emission scanning electron microscope clarified their formation mechanism and morphology development. The morphology was controllable by adjusting the solution temperature and deposition time. A high aspect ratio of 105 (3.17 μm in length and 30 nm in diameter) was obtained at 65 °C for 6 h. This fabrication technique indicated that ZnO film may be prepared at low cost, and fittable to low heat-resistance substrates such as a polymer substarte. The novel technique will broaden its potential applications in many fields.