Controlled synthesis of ZnO nanocrystals with column-, rosette-and fiber-like morphologies and their photoluminescence property

ZnO nanocrystals with column-, rosette- and fiber-like morphologies have been synthesized by annealing their precursors at 550 °C under ambient pressure. The precursors were prepared via a hydrothermal process using different starting materials. The products were characterized using XRD, XPS, DT-TG, SEM and PL techniques. It was found the morphologies of ZnO nanocrystals have significant effect on their luminescent properties in particular the strength of luminescence. Besides the emissions at ca. 390 and 490 nm, the rosette- and fiber-like ZnO nanocrystals have an additional emission at ca. 425 nm.