Soft template synthesis of ZnO nanorods and their optical properties

A simple solution route was developed to fabricate monodisperse wurtzite ZnO nanorods. The as-prepared samples were 5 μm in length and 70–100 nm in diameter. The crystallinity, morphology, and structure of the rod-like ZnO microcrystals were examined. The crystal phases and the microstructure of the nanorods were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Room- and low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) and Raman spectra were employed to investigate the surface states of the samples. The deep-level emission band was barely observable at both room and cryogenic temperatures.