Controllable Synthesis of ZnO Nanorod-nanosheets Hierarchical Nanostructure on a Stainless Steel Mesh Via A Facile Hydrothermal Growth

Abstract

ZnO nanorods-nanosheets (NR-NS) hierarchical nanostructure consisted of long nanorod and thin nanosheet branches have been built on a stainless steel mesh via a two-step hydrothermal growth process. The related structures and morphologies of the as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The XRD results confirmed that the obtained samples were wurtzite hexagonal structured ZnO. The FE-SEM observations showed that the smooth surfaces of nanorods were covered by nanosheets, resulting in the enhancement of internal surface area. It was found that trisodium citrate played a crucial role in the formation of ZnO NR-NS hierarchical nanostructures, and accordingly, the rational growth mechanism was suggested.