Diamond-shaped ZnO microrafts and their optical and magnetic properties

The ZnO microrafts with diamond-shaped cross sections have been prepared by the vapour transport method in air using a copper catalyst. Our results showed that the backbone of these microstructures had a quadrate cross section growing along the direction, while its diamond-shaped branches were growing along the [0001] direction. The copper-doped structures exhibited modified Raman and photoluminescence spectra and were ferromagnetic at room temperature. The possible growth process of these microstructures is discussed.