Catalytic growth of hexagonally aligned ZnO nanorods

Aligned ZnO nanorods were prepared using colloid-based self-assembling techniques to structure the gold catalyst. Two different processes were used and are compared. The ZnO nanorods were grown with diameters between 200 and 500 nm and adjustable length by a chemical vapor deposition process in a horizontal tube furnace. They show high crystalline quality as confirmed by photoluminescence and spatially and spectrally resolved cathodoluminescence measurements. Hexagonal ordering of the nanorods has been achieved for areas of several square millimeters.