TEM Characterization of ZnO Nanorods

Abstract

ZnO nanostructures constitute an important component of certain nanostructured devices. In most configurations, aligned growth of the ZnO nanorods is required. Aqueous-solution synthesis is used to synthesize oriented ZnO nanorods on a ZnO thin film prepared by pulsed-laser deposition. The synthesis processes have been adapted to TEM-ready sapphire substrates to enable simultaneous crystallographic, microchemical and high-resolution studies in the TEM. Issues related to the growth mechanism and incorporated defects are addressed.