Structural properties of hydrothermal-grown ZnO nanostructures fabricated using different ZnAc concentrations
Abstract
We report the effects of zinc acetate dihydrate [Zn(CH3COO) 2H2O, ZnAc] precursor concentration on the structural properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures. The nanostructures are successfully fabricated on seeded silicon (Si) substrates using hydrothermal growth method. For a fixed hexamine [(CH2)6N4, HMTA] concentration, ZnAc affects the dimensions, morphology, and preferential orientation of the ZnO nanostructures. Increasing the ZnAc concentration overcomes the inhibitory action of HMTA which preferentially attaches on the ZnO crystals' prismatic sides during hydrothermal growth. Control of the structural properties of hydrothermal-grown ZnO nanostructures can then be achieved by varying the ZnAc concentration.