{10(1)over-bar1} and {11(2)over-bar1}-specific growth and twinning of ZnO whiskers

Isothermal (600 degrees C) atmospheric annealing of the wurtzite (W)-type ZnO/Zn composite deposit with preferred orientation {10 (1) over bar1}(W-ZnO) and (0001)(Zn) respectively on glass substrate caused self-catalyzed vapor-liquid-solid growth of rodlike W-ZnO whiskers with unusual habit. Analytical electron microscopic observations indicated that the W-ZnO whiskers extend along the zone axes of the well-developed polar surfaces {10 (1) over bar1} for a beneficial lower electrostatic energy and surface energy. Alternatively, the whiskers extend via {11 (2) over bar1}-specific growth twinning and/or coalescence twinning for a beneficial fair coincidence-site lattice at the twin boundary.