Temperature dependence of the growth of ZnO nanorod arrays by electrochemical deposition

ZnO nanorod arrays were prepared by the electrochemical deposition route on conductive Au/Si substrates. The effect of the bath temperature on the growth of the ZnO nanorod arrays was investigated. With an increase in bath temperature from 30°C to 80°C, the deposited ZnO changed from an amorphous structure to a hexagonal crystal structure. The ZnO nanorod arrays grown above 50°C were dense and vertically well-aligned. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy results showed that the diameter of the hexagon-shaped ZnO nanorod arrays ranged from 100 nm to 180 nm and the length was about 500 nm. On the basis of the characteristics of the ZnO crystal structure and the effect of the bath temperature, the growth mechanism is described.