Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science

Major

Physics

Date of Defense

7-15-2010

Graduate Advisor

Jingyue Liu, PhD.

Committee

Jingyue Liu

Philip Fraundorf

Eric Majzoub

Abstract

Zinc Oxide nanostructures are important for many applications, specifically for developing novel catalysts and sensors which our research group has been working on. The objectives of this thesis are: (1) synthesis and characterization of complex ZnO nanostructures; (2) development of synthesis protocols for high-yield and reliable synthesis of nanostructures. In this thesis, chapter 1 introduces the background of nanoscience and nanotechnology, with a focus on nanomaterials. In chapter 2, the fundamental knowledge of ZnO and relevant characterization techniques are introduced, specifically the crystallography of ZnO wurtzite structure and the scanning (transmission) electron microscopy. Several goals have been achieved and they are reported in chapter 3 and 4. First, the nano-pyramid decorated microwires were fabricated. A growth mechanism for those complex nanostructures was proposed. Second, surface modification such as grooved surfaces of ZnO nanostructures has been realized. Grooved nanowires, microbelts, and micrometer-scale tetra-pods are discussed. Third, the effects of oxygen partial pressure on the growth of ZnO have been investigated. All the ZnO nanostructures reported in this thesis were synthesized by a physical vapor deposition method. The field-emission scanning electron microscope was used to examine the morphologies of the synthesized nanostructures. Aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy provided information on the fabricated nanostructures.

OCLC Number

891139132

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