Synthesis, characterization and optical properties of star-like ZnO nanostructures

Star-like ZnO nanostructures were synthesized in bulk quantity by thermal evaporation method. The morphologies and structure of ZnO nanostructures were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results demonstrated that the as-synthesized products consisted of star-like ZnO nanostructure with hexagonal wurtzite phase. The legs of the star-like nanostructures were preferentially grown up along the [0001] direction. A vapor-solid (VS) growth mechanism was proposed to explain the formation of the star-like structures. Photoluminescence spectrum exhibited a narrow ultraviolet emission at around 380 nm and a broad green emission around 491 nm. Raman spectrum of the ZnO nanostructures was also discussed. Crown Copyright (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.