Hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanowires on paper for flexible electronics

Seamless integration of functional nanomaterials on paper can boost the functionality of paper-based flexible electronics. In this article, we report the successful growth of zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs) on paper substrate through a low-cost hydrothermal process. We experimentally confirm the necessity of ammonium hydroxide as assistant chemical in the growth solution. We quantify the growth rate of ZnO NWs over growth time, and characterize the electrical property of the ZnO-NW paper. To highlight potential applications of the ZnO-NW paper, we demonstrate the use of ZnO-NW paper for ultra-violet light and touch sensing. The presented work provides technical insight for successful hydrothermal growth of ZnO NWs on paper, and could further inspire novel utilization of ZnO-NW paper for flexible electronics.