Interconnected Networks of Zn(NO₃)₂·6(H₂O) Nanotubes and Its Solid-Phase Transformation into Porous Zinc Oxide Architectures

Abstract

Highly oriented Zn(NO3)2·6H2O nanotubes were grown on mica substrates based on an epitaxy mechanism. The Zn(NO3)2·6H2O nanotubes with rectangular cross-section were self-assembled on mica surfaces into large-area, interconnected hexagonal networks. Fast evaporation of the solvent was found to be crucial for the growth of high-quality Zn(NO3)2·6H2O rectangular nanotubes. ZnO architectures with tailored porosity were achieved through controlled solid-phase thermal decomposition of the Zn(NO3)2·6H2O nanotubes. Defects in porous ZnO architectures and the photoluminescence (PL) properties could be well tuned by varying the annealing conditions. The porous ZnO interconnected networks were electrically interconnected and electrically functioned as a single integrated unit with symmetric, linear current−voltage (I−V) characteristic.