Growth of ZnO nanostructures by vapor–liquid–solid method

Zinc oxide nanorods have been grown by vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) catalytic growth. The optical properties and structures properties of the grown ZnO nanostructures have been studied by photoluminescence, high resolution X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the formation of ZnO nanostructures is strongly influenced by the growth conditions and used substrates. It was found that oriented ZnO nanorods are grown more easily on a substrate with a similar crystalline structure as ZnO. By optimizing growth conditions, oriented-ZnO nanorods grown on Si(001) substrate with a diameter of around 300 nm and lengths of 20 to 35 μm have been achieved, and they show excellent optical properties. Laser action has been observed at room temperature by using optical pumping.