Title: Ultra-fast growth of the monocrystalline zinc oxide nanorods from the aqueous solution

Authors: B.S. Witkowski; L. Wachnicki; S. Giera?towska; P. Dluzewski; A. Szczepanska; J. Kaszewski; M. Godlewski

Addresses: Institute of Physics Polish Academy of SciencesAl. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland ' Institute of Physics Polish Academy of SciencesAl. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland ' Institute of Physics Polish Academy of SciencesAl. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland ' Institute of Physics Polish Academy of SciencesAl. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland ' Institute of Physics Polish Academy of SciencesAl. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland ' Institute of Physics Polish Academy of SciencesAl. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland ' Institute of Physics Polish Academy of SciencesAl. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland

Abstract: A new inexpensive method of the ultra-fast growth of ZnO nanorods from the aqueous solution is described. This environment friendly and fully reproducible method allows growth of nanorods in about 1-3 min time on various substrates, without any catalyst or complexing agent. The substrates need to be coated with a layer of gold droplets, which nucleate the growth. Growth temperature does not exceed 50°C and growth can be performed at atmospheric pressure. Deionised water and zinc acetate are used as oxygen and zinc precursors, respectively. The method is characterised by simplicity and allows regulating size of the ZnO nanorods in a large extent. Due to simplicity and safety of this method, it is suitable for industrial applications, i.e., in the construction of gas sensors or highly sensitive light detectors (changes of sample resistivity upon illumination).

Keywords: zinc oxide; hydrothermal method; nanostructures; ZnO nanorods; monocrystalline nanorods; aqueous solutions; nanotechnology; gold droplets; gas sensors; light detectors.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2014.063786

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2014 Vol.11 No.9/10/11, pp.758 - 772

Published online: 14 Jan 2015 *

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