Controlled synthesis and field emission properties of ZnO nanostructures with different morphologies

By simply controlling atmosphere, rods, tetraleg-rods, and arrays of ZnO nanostructures have been fabricated respectively through pure zinc powder evaporation without catalyst at temperature of 650 - 700 degrees C. Investigations through HRTEM and XRD showed that the growth of the synthesized ZnO nanostructures was controlled by vapor-solid mechanism. Field emission measurements revealed that all of the structures, owing to their very low turn-on voltage, sufficient emission current and proper linearity of 1/V - Ln(l/V2), are likely to be potential candidates as a field emitter. The results also indicated that field emission properties are relative to morphology and size of the tips of ZnO nanostructures, and the nanorods with sharp tips possess the first-class FE property.