Role of the vapor composition in the evolution from 1D to 2D ZnO nanostructures

The effect of source vapor composition on the growth of ZnO nanostructures inside a microchannel was investigated using a thermal evaporation system. ID to 2D nanostructures were symmetrically evolved along the longitudinal axis (gas flow direction) of the microchannel. On the basis of the experimental conditions, the changes in the vapor composition along the channel length could be predicted by a simple chemical vapor diffusion modeling. It was revealed that the Zn vapor composition under a high oxygen pressure is one of the critical parameters responsible for evolution from 1D to 2D nanostructures.