Zinc oxide nanodonut prepared by vapor-phase transport process

Zinc oxide nanodonuts have been synthesized using vapor-phase transport method. Zinc oxide powder, graphite powder, and erbium oxide powder were mixed with a molar ratio of 1:1:0.2 and heated at 1050 degrees C in a flowing argon environment. Perfectly donut-shaped nanostructures with outer diameters ranging from 450 to 850 nm were observed. The inner diameter of the zinc oxide donut varies from 75 to 95 nm and the vertical distance from the highest point to the lowest point vary from 85 to 130 nm. The composition of the nanodonut was analyzed using Auger electron spectroscopy and was found to be mainly of zinc oxide. Diffusion of silicon into the zinc oxide layer was confirmed by secondary ion mass spectroscopy. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.