Controlling ZnO Nanostructure Morphology on Seedless Substrate by Tuning Process Parameters and Additives

Abstract

In this, article ZnO nanostructure synthesized on seedless Si substrate by hydrothermal process using nutrient solution. Low concentration, 5 and 10 mM, equi-molar nutrient solution composed of zinc nitrate and hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) and high concentration of 25 mM zinc nitrate and 12.5 mM hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) with and without NH4.OH additions  were used to synthesis ZnO nanostructure. The effect of precursor’s concentration, growth temperature, and time were studied. The effects of these parameters on morphology and structure were investigated via SEM and XRD. It was found that the morphology reflect the dominate growth direction that could be tuning by controlling above parameters. High-density forest nanostructure achieved from high concentration nutrient solution with NH₄OH addition.

Keywords: hydrothermal, ZnO nanostructure, morphology, additive, and growth direction.