Multi-angular branched ZnO microstructures with rods-shaped tips and nanopushpins with hexagonal cap on top have been synthesized by a simple thermal treatment process of compacted ZnS powder used as starting material and substrate. The structures have been grown at different temperatures (800, 900 and 1000 °C) for 60 min, in a constant nitrogen environment at atmospheric pressure via a catalyst-free process. XRD results of the as-grown products from ZnS powder show a significant reduction in the cubic zincblende phase to the hexagonal wurtzite phase with the increase of treatment temperature, as compared to the bulk value. Post-anneal analyses indicated that the transformation of morphologies of the as-grown structures also depends strongly on the treatment temperature. The proposed method represents an easy and economical way to grow complex structures of ZnO, with a relatively short time, furthermore, without the neediness of use an external substrate to grow. These new and interesting nanostructures have potential in applications such as optoelectronics.
Synthesis and characterization of CdSe nanoparticles via thermal treatment technique
