Microwave‐Assisted Rapid Synthesis of ZnO Hexagonal Quasi‐Hourglasses

To controllably construct ZnO ‐base heterostructures, unique ZnO hexagonal quasi‐hourglasses have been synthesized by a microwave‐assisted hydrothermal approach. The phase purity and the morphologies of as‐prepared samples have been determined by using X ‐ray powder diffractometer, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. We have rationally discussed the growth and reaction mechanism and revealed the morphological evolution of ZnO hexagonal quasi‐hourglasses. Dodecylamine, as well as the initial concentration of zinc source, the reaction temperature and time, play an important part in the synthesis of ZnO hexagonal quasi‐hourglasses. Between ZnO and Zn 5 ( OH ) 8 ( NO 3 ) 2 , a reversible reaction seldom reported occurs in a circular manner as the reaction proceeds continuously. The presence of ZnO multipods in the products and the controllable synthesis of half of ZnO hexagonal quasi‐hourglass betoken a possibility to synthesize ZnO hierarchical architectures, even ZnO ‐base heterostructures by using this kind of ZnO building blocks.