Preparation and photoluminescence of ZnO complex structures with controlled morphology

Abstract ZnO complex structures including spheres, ellipsoids, flowers and propellers have been successfully and controllably achieved on a large scale by a low-temperature (60 °C) solution phase process with continuous stirring. These structures of single-crystal hexagonal phase could be easily obtained respectively using different amounts of ammonia (NH 3 ·H 2 O) and different concentrations of the reaction solution. The formation mechanisms have been systematically discussed based on the experimental results and the function of organic molecules. A very strong UV emission at ∼390 nm with a negligible green emission observed in the room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the four kinds of ZnO microcrystals indicated that they are of high crystal quality.