The growth and characterisation of zinc-based nanostructures

Qin, L

Abstract

Functional nanomaterials have been studied intensively ever since the selforganisation
of nanostructures was first reported in the mid-1990s. The templateassisted
growth of nanostructures is considered to be one of the most important
branches in nanoscience. This thesis aims to develop new fabrication routes to
ordered semiconducting nanoarrays and other metallic structures.
Using a combination of ac electrodeposition of precursor Zn nanowires and
subsequent heat treatment at 400 °C, the growth of an ordered array of
semiconducting ZnO nanowires embedded in an anodic aluminium oxide (AAO)
template is studied. Investigations on the transformation process have been carried
out. The ZnO nanowire arrays are also examined in terms of their structural, optical
and magnetic properties.
The effect of heat treatment is also examined at a higher temperature of 800 °C. It is
demonstrated that the AAO can be used as a reactive template in the fabrication of
ordered arrays of spinel ZnAl2O4 nanotube/net arrays. This involves the growth of
monocrystalline Zn nanowires into an AAO template using a pulse dc
electrodeposition technique followed by a heat treatment in air. The formation of
the nanotube structure is attributed to the Kirkendall effect. The results suggest that
this route may be extended to fabricate other spinel structures such as MgAl2O4 or
BaAl2O4. ZnO whiskers obtained in these samples by different pre-treatment of the
AAO templates have also been investigated.
Attempts to produce Ni-doped ZnO nanowires using pulse dc electrodeposition
resulted in the formation of Ni5Zn2i dendrites. A detailed morphological and purity
study of these structures has been made.

Citation

Qin, L. The growth and characterisation of zinc-based nanostructures. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2009