Fabrication of one-dimensional ZnO nanotube and nanowire arrays with an anodic alumina oxide template via electrochemical deposition

In this work, two kinds of one-dimensional ZnO nanowires (NWs) and nanotubes (NTs) were synthesized by using electrochemical deposition with the aid of a high aspect ratio anodic alumina oxide (AAO) template. ZnO NWs and NTs were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. An AAO template was fabricated by two-step anodization in 0.3 M oxalic acid with a voltage of 80 V. The thickness and channel diameter of the AAO template were about 150 μm and 120-150 nm, respectively. The morphologies of the ZnO nanostructures synthesized under 20 vol.% H₂O₂ with various electrolyte concentrations of 0.1 M and 0.5 M ZnSO₄, were NTs and NWs, respectively. Both NTs and NWs were uniform in size, which corresponded to the sizes of AAO pores. The thickness of the NTs walls can be controlled based on the deposition time and current density. The crystallinity of the ZnO NTs and NWs annealing in the air were restricted by AAO pore. The growth of the ZnO NTs and NWs was caused by heterogeneous nucleation, and different growth rates through the wall of the AAO will result in different nanostructures, with the growth of the NTs being slower than that of the NWs.