Zinc oxide is a unique material that has many possible applications in optoelectronics due to its piezoelectric, optical, and semiconducting properties. The carbothermal reduction of zinc oxide is a common technique used in chemical vapor deposition to synthesize nanostructures via the vapor transport mechanism, following the reversible reaction: C(s) + ZnO(s) ? CO(s) + Zn(s) . In this research project, the supply of growth and transport species were successfully decoupled from the delivery of the oxidant, molecular oxygen. Various forms of ZnO nanostructures were formed at varying temperatures in a three-zone furnace. The reactions took place at a constant pressure of 200 millitorr on silicon substrates, each coated with a thin film of gold catalyst. Two-dimensional nano-ribbons were observed to grow best at higher temperatures between 800-1000�C, with the thinnest belts (30 nm) at 800�C. At 1000�C, the belts appear to taper off, resulting in shorter structures. One-dimensional wire growth was predominantly observed at 600�C. Results were compared with previously published literature regarding ZnO nanobelts.

Growth of zinc oxide nanobelt structures at varying temperatures

245th National Meeting (2013)

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