Morphology Tuning of Hydrothermally Grown ZnO Nanowires Through Seed Layer Patterning via Laser Direct Writing

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce the morphology variation of hydrothermally grown ZnO nanowires (NWs) through seed layer patterning. Laser direct patterning was applied for facile patterning of ZnO seed layers to grow ZnO NWs on the isolated areas. Two types of interferences during the NW growth on the patterned seed layer were observed. Internal interference acts on the neighboring NWs in the same spot, while external interference occurs from NWs that are grown in the adjacent spots. Internal interference guides NWs to head for roomy space, and shows a similar effect on both thin and thick NWs. On the other hand, external interference strongly influences on NW growth behavior when the NW is thick. NWs become thinner and grow more vertically under the severe external interference. ZnO NWs as thick as similar to 3.5 mu m could be obtained when there was no external interference.