Investigation on influence of seeding layer on morphological properties of ZnO-based nanostructure prepared by hydrothermal process

Abstract

In this present work, bare ZnO low-dimensional structures were synthesized by hydrothermal process with crystal growth assistance using seed layers. Different seeding layer species including ZnO and Ga-doped ZnO films prepared by sol-gel dip coating were introduced onto the substrate before the hydrothermal growth of ZnO-based nanostructures. Zn(NO3)2 and GaN3O9 were utilized as Zn and Ga source during hydrothermal process. The influence of seeding layer types on morphological and shapes of the hydrothermally grown nanostructures have been extensively scrutinized by Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical spectroscopy. It was revealed that different morphologies and exceptional shapes in form of nanorods of ZnO-based nanostructures were obtained as different seeding layers were introduced. More detailed studies for clarification of seed layer effect on the growth of ZnO-based nanostructures are mentioned and discussed.