Growth of ZnO Nanowires Using ZnS Substrates with Ga Droplets

Abstract

ZnO nanowires were synthesized by the heat treatment of ZnS substrates with Ga droplets in the air, and their morphological and structural properties were then investigated. The nano-sized ZnO wires were formed on thin ZnO layers accompanied with the formation of ZnGa₂O₄. It was found that the growth direction of the nanowires is ZnO[0001], and which is parallel to ZnGa₂O₄[010]. The growth mechanism of the ZnO nanowires is discussed based on the thermal stability or enthalpy of formation of the oxides. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2009.25]