Physical properties of ZnO nanowires with different growth directions

초록

We investigated the growth behavior and morphology of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires on various substrates by vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) technique. Either a gold (Au) thin film or a ZnO thin film was used as a seed layer to grow the nanowires. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope analyses revealed that the growth directions and morphology of the nanowires were dependent on not only the substrate materials but also the seed layers. Vertically aligned ZnO nanowires were grown on the ZnO thin film, whereas randomly tilted nanowires were obtained on the Au film. Crystal structures and catalytic activity at the underlying layer played an important role in governing the nanowire growth behaviors.