Growth of ZnO nanorods by a simple chemical method

ZnO nanorods were grown by a near-room-temperature, simple, chemical solution method on large-area Zn foils and substrate materials such as silicon, and zinc oxide thin films on silicon and glass. Study of the ZnO nanorods on the different substrates by electron microscopy methods shows that the morphology and size of the ZnO nanorods can be tuned varying the growth parameters and the substrates used. The growth mechanism is briefly discussed. Photoluminescence experiments at room temperature reveal a major emission peak of the nanorods at around 385 nm, which is attributed to the band edge transition of ZnO and weaker defect-related visible band peaks.