Influence of surface substrates on the properties of ZnO nanowires synthesized by hydrothermal method

Abstract Zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs) have been synthesized by hydrothermal method on several substrate materials, in different conditions, with or without of a seed layer prepared by sol-gel process. The properties of ZnO NWs were easy and effectively controlled by a variety of parameters, such as: concentration and pH of solution, temperature and time of hydrothermal process. Based on experimental data, this study points out that the substrate properties can influence the orientation and the aspect ratio of ZnO NWs. This is due to the surface energy, which can be modified using surface agents, measured and monitored. Thus, the choice of surface substrate may be another option to improve some applications based on ZnO NWs.