Purposed Built ZnO/Zn5(OH)8Ac2·2H2O Architectures by Hydrothermal Synthesis

Novel and extended ZnO/Zn5(OH)8Ac2·2H2O architectures are desirable for many applications. Here we report on the design and growth of the novel ZnO/Zn5(OH)8Ac2·2H2O architectures by a hydrothermal synthesis approach. ZnO microrods and/or columnar film are grown in the aqueous solution containing Zn(Ac)2·2H2O and hexamethylenetetramine, while Zn5(OH)8Ac2·2H2O microspheres and/or porous film are formed when enough citrate anions are added into the solution. The citrate anions not only modify the morphology but also decide the phase of the grown zinc compounds. The ZnO thin layer coated on glass substrate is used to control the nucleation event and finally modifies the morphology of the grown ZnO. Our work provides an effective and facile approach to design and selectively grow the novel ZnO/Zn5(OH)8Ac2·2H2O architectures at a low temperature of 95 °C.