{101̄1} and {112̄1}-Specific Growth and Twinning of ZnO Whiskers

Isothermal (600 °C) atmospheric annealing of the wurtzite (W)-type ZnO/Zn composite deposit with preferred orientation {101̄1} W - ZnO and (0001) Zn respectively on glass substrate caused self-catalyzed vapor−liquid−solid growth of rodlike W-ZnO whiskers with unusual habit. Analytical electron microscopic observations indicated that the W-ZnO whiskers extend along the zone axes of the well-developed polar surfaces {101̄1} for a beneficial lower electrostatic energy and surface energy. Alternatively, the whiskers extend via {112̄1}-specific growth twinning and/or coalescence twinning for a beneficial fair coincidence-site lattice at the twin boundary.