Growth of self-organized hierarchical ZnO nanoarchitectures by a simple In/In₂S₃ controlled thermal evaporation process

Novel hierarchical ZnO nanoarchitectures, such as microtrepangs, microbelts, nanoflowers, nanocombs, nanowheels, and nanofans assembled by ZnO nanocones, nanobowling pins, nanobottles, nanoarrows, and nanonails, have had their growth controlled by the thermal evaporation of Zn and a mixture of In and IN₂S₃. Both the morphologies of the products and their construction units could be efficiently controlled by simple adjustment of the weight ratio of In/In₂S₃. The phase structure, morphologies, and photoluminescence properties of the ZnO products were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. These novel hierarchical ZnO nanoarchitectures may be attractive building blocks for creating optical or other nanodevices.