Parametric characterization of zinc oxide nanostructures forming three-dimensional hybrid nanoarchitectures on carbon nanotube constructs

We study the structural and functional characteristics of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures that are grown on carbon nanotube (CNT) constructs via step-wise chemical vapor deposition (CVD). First, we optimize the CVD process to directly grow ZnO nanostructures on CNTs by controlling the growth temperature below 600 °C, where CNTs can be sustained in a ZnO-growing oxidative atmosphere. We then investigate how the morphology and areal density of ZnO nanostructures evolve depending on process parameters, such as pressure, temperature, and gas feeding composition, while focusing on the effect of underlying CNT topology on ZnO nucleation and growth. Because various types of ZnO nanostructures, including nanowires, nanorods, nanoplates, and polycrystalline nanocrystals, can be conformally formed on highly conductive CNT platforms, this electrically addressable three-dimensional hybrid nanoarchitecture may better meet a wide range of nanoelectronic application-specific needs.