In-Situ Formation of ZnO Nanobelts and Metallic Zn Nanobelts and Nanodisks

We report on the in-situ formation of ZnO nanobelts and metallic Zn nanobelts and nanodisks in a transmission electron microscope by electron-beam irradiation of single-crystalline polyhedral Zn nanoparticles, which were synthesized by evaporating ZnO powder mixed with graphite in a N2 flowing carrying gas environment. ZnO and Zn nanobelts are both single-crystalline, have a top surface of ±{110}. a side surface of ±{100}, and a ±[001] growth direction. The zinc nanodisks have diameters of 10 nm to 0.3 μm, and thickness of about 0.1 μm. They usually have faceted hexagonal shapes with a top surface of ±(001).