In-situ formation of ZnO nanobelts and metallic Zn nanobelts and nanodisks

We report on the in-situ formation of ZnO nanobelts and metallic Zn nanobelts and nanodisks in a transmission electron microscope by electron-beam irradiation of single-crystalline polyhedral Zn nanoparticles, which were synthesized by evaporating ZnO powder mixed with graphite in a N-2 flowing carrying gas environment. ZnO and Zn nanobelts are both single-crystalline, have a top surface of +/-{110} a side surface of +/-{100}, and a [001] growth direction. The zinc nanodisks have diameters of 10 nm to 0.3 mum, and thickness of about 0.1 mum. They usually have faceted hexagonal shapes with a top surface of +/-(001).