Mesh-Like Hemispherical Shells Formed by Self-Assembly of Zn2SiO4 Textured Nanowires

A new kind of self-assembled nanostructures, mesh-like hemispherical shells consisting of Zn 2 SiO 4 nanowires, was synthesized by a simple thermal evaporation and condensation process. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy characterizations on the products obtained at different stages during the thermal evaporation indicate that the mesh-like hemispherical shells were formed through generation of Zn vapor, solidification of liquid Zn droplets, surface oxidization, sublimation, splitting into hemispherical porous shells, further sublimation and oxidization, and reaction with SiO x vapor to form Zn 2 SiO 4 . The corresponding photoluminescence (PL) measurements reveal that the evolution of the mesh-like hemispherical shells accompanied the conversion of emissions at 385 and 508 nm from ZnO phase into emission at 522 nm from Zn 2 SiO 4 phase. The novel Zn 2 SiO 4 self-assembled nanostructures might have potential applications in future gas sensor and optoelectronic nanodevices.