Combustion oxidization synthesis of unique cage-like nanotetrapod ZnO and its optical property.

Cage-like nano-tetrapod ZnO is a novel structure, which was successfully synthesized by combustion oxidation at 850 degrees C. No catalyst or carrier gases were used. Thorough SEM and TEM analyses revealed that the linking legs of the tetrapod ZnO can have or not interface. The formation or not of an interface is discussed and it was attributed to different growth process of the cage-like ZnO nano-tetrapod. Enhanced UV emission peak at the wavelength of 375 nm, featuring high intensity and narrow width, indicates a highly crystalline structure. A green emission, recorded at 502 nm, was related to the defects of the surface of the branching configuration as well as to the ZnO nuclei of the cage-like nano-tetrapod ZnO.