One-dimensional wurtzite semiconducting nanostructures

Abstract

As for the definition of nanostructures, a widely accepted one is that "nanostructure" represents a system or object with at least one dimension in the order of 100 nm or less. Typical oxide nanostructures are of three types based on dimensional categories: 0D, 1D, and 2D. 0D nanostructures such as nanoparticles and 2D thin films have been extensively explored and utilized in many applications. A recent emerging of wire-like nanostructures is the 1D oxide nanostructures. 1D nanostructure is a material with two physical dimensions in the nanorange (1-100 nm), while the third one can be very large. Typically four types of 1D nanostructure configurations are reported in literature, including nanotubes [1], nanowires [2-5], nanorods [6-8], and nanobelts (nanoribbon) [9-13]. These nanostructures have potential applications in nanoelectronics, nanooptoelectronics, and nanoelectromechanical systems [3,4,14-23]. Figure 13.1 shows SEM images resenting the four different typical morphologies made by ZnO. Among them, nanobelt (nanoribbon) is the latest one being recognized and investigated extensively since its discovery in 2001 [10]. By utilizing a dramatically increased surface-to-volume ratio and the novel physical properties brought by the nanoscale structure, nanoscale sensors and transducers with superior performance can be achieved [24]. In this chapter, a review will be provided focusing on the emerging growth techniques and morphological control of 1D oxide nanostructures. ZnO will be taken as a main example for demonstrating the novelty of oxide nanostructures. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.