We have studied the precursor effects of citric acid and various citrates-including triethyl citrate, tripotassium citrate, trisodium citrate and triammonium citrate-on the formation of ZnO crystals in alkaline solution. These citrate-related chemicals could be divided into three groups (group A, triethyl citrate; group B, tripotassium citrate and trisodium citrate; and group C, citric acid and triammonium citrate) based on their activity for modifying the ZnO growth direction and solution pH dependency on their concentration. We could obtain ZnO structures with various distinct morphologies by simply changing the concentration of citric acid or citrate additive dissolved in the alkaline reaction solution. On the basis of the results, we propose the growth mechanisms underlying the formation of the various ZnO structures in the absence and presence of citric acid or citrate additives.

A simple and facile sonochemical route has been demonstrated for the shape-selective preparation of highly crystalline ZnO nanostructures, such as nanorods, nanocups, nanodisks, nanoflowers, and nanospheres. The concentration of precursor chemicals, the kind of hydroxide anion-generating agents, the ultrasonication time, and the use of a capping agent are key factors in the morphological control of ZnO nanostructures. This method is fast, simple, convenient, economical, and environmentally benign. On the basis of our shape-control of the ZnO nanostructures by the sonochemical technique, growth mechanisms of ZnO nanostructures were also proposed. We believe this technique will be readily adopted in realizing other forms of various nanostructured materials.

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