RIS ID
37533
Abstract
In this work, we demonstrate a simple gas-phase process to synthesize ZnO with exposed reactive {0001} facets without the use of any capping agent. The method is based on controlling the ZnO growth direction, causing it to switch from the typical [0001] to [100], resulting in [100] grown nanowhiskers with exposed reactive {0001} facets. Moreover, these nanowhiskers self-assemble on ZnO hollow spheres to form a three-dimensional hierarchical nanostructure, which stabilizes these nanowhiskers against agglomeration. Such a designed ZnO nanostructure endows the ZnO sensing material with both small crystal sizes and exposed reactive {0001} facets, which leads to greatly enhanced gas sensitivities compared to typical [0001] grown ZnO nanowires. Such reactive-facet-enhanced gas sensitivity is also shown by our calculation of the chemisorption energy of oxygen, based on density functional theory.
Publication Details
Liu, J., Chen, X., Wang, W., Liu, Y., Huang, Q. and Guo, Z. (2011). Self-assembly of [1010] grown ZnO nanowhiskers with exposed reactive (0001) facets on hollow spheres and their enhanced gas sensitivity. CrysEngComm, 13 (10), 3425-3431.