Zinc oxide nanotetrapods

The carrier gas flow rate, a key parameter for controlling the morphology and size in the synthesis of nanomaterials by thermal evaporation—vapour phase transport—condensation processes, can significantly affect the shape and size of the products. Besides nanoscale ZnO dendrites and wires, a uniform tetrapod-shaped ZnO nanostructure has also been successfully synthesized by using a controlled carrier gas flow rate during synthesis. The ZnO nanotetrapod was formed via a vapour–solid process. The special structural character of the nanotetrapods may have interesting physical properties and potential applications in semiconductor electronic devices.