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Zinc oxide nanostructures: from growth to application

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Abstract

Zinc oxide’s (ZnO) physical and chemical properties make it a viable and extremely attractive compound to use in a variety of nanotechnology applications. Some of these applications include biomedical, energy, sensors, and optics. As the research in ZnO nanostructures continue to grow, it has inspired a whole host of new innovative applications. Complementing its unique chemical qualities, it also has a simple crystal-growth technology and offers significantly lower fabrication costs when compared to other semiconductors used in nanotechnology. Several processes have been developed in order to synthesize high quality ZnO nanostructures—specifically in the case of nanowires. Here we offer a comprehensive review on the growth methods currently employed in research, industry, and academia to understand what protocols are available to meet specific needs in nanotechnology. Methods examined include: the vapor–liquid–solid, physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, metal–organic chemical vapor deposition, and the hydrothermal-based chemical approach. Each of these methods is discussed and their strengths and weaknesses are analyzed with objective comparison metrics. In addition, we study the current state-of-the-art applications employing ZnO nanostructures at their core. A historical perspective on the evolution of the field and the accompanying literature are also presented.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Pathology as well as the Dr. John T. Mcdonald Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, Miller School of Medicine, at the University of Miami. We would also like to thank our fellow colleagues for sharing their advice and knowledge—in particular, Sukru Ufuk Senveli from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, USA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA

    Jorge L. Gomez & Onur Tigli

  2. Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA

    Onur Tigli

  3. Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute at University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA

    Onur Tigli

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  1. Jorge L. Gomez
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  2. Onur Tigli
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Correspondence to Jorge L. Gomez.

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Gomez, J.L., Tigli, O. Zinc oxide nanostructures: from growth to application. J Mater Sci 48, 612–624 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-012-6938-5

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