Triple assembly of ZnO, large-scale hollow spherical shells with flower-like species consisting of rods grown on the outer surfaces of shells

Novel large-scale hollow ZnO spherical shells were synthesized by ionic liquids assisted hydrothermal oxidization of pure zinc powder without any catalyst at a relatively low temperature of 160 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) patterns show that the shells are composed of ZnO and the structure of the shells is very unique. Textured flower-like ZnO consisting of ZnO rods is grown on the outer surfaces of shells forming a triple assembly. Room-temperature photoluminescence spectra of the oxidized material show a sharp peak at 379 nm and a wider broad peak centered at 498 nm. The possible growth mechanism of the triple assembly of ZnO is discussed in detail.