Catalytic growth of cubic phase ZnO nanowires with jagged surface

Cubic-phase ZnO nanowires with jagged surfaces were successfully synthesised through the Au-assisted chemical vapour deposition method. The nanowire has a fourfold symmetric shape with the diameter of tens of nanometres modulated along its axis. Especially, the interface between the catalyst droplet and the nanowire grows in epitaxial relationship. Thus, the authors believe that the property of Au particle may determine the crystalline structure and growth direction of the ZnO nanowires. The optical property of the products was also examined using photoluminescence spectroscopy.