Effects of multilayer buffer on structural properties of ZnO nanostructures grown using a solvothermal method

This paper reports on a solvothermal method used in the fabrication of vertically aligned two-dimensional (2D) ZnO nanowall networks and one-dimensional (1D) ZnO nanorods with overlapping structures. The introduction of an Al thin film as a doping source was shown to alter the morphology from rods to walls. The proposed multilayer buffer results in the formation of two types of nanostructure (nanowalls and rods) and also increased the length to which the nanorods grow at the same time. Analysis based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) led us to formulate a possible growth mechanism and elucidate the optical properties of the ZnO nanostructures.