Contents Contents………………………………………………I Acknowledgments…………………………………IV Abstract……………………………………………VI Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Nanotechnology………………………………………1 1.2 Semiconducting Nanowires…………………………4 1.3 Si Oxide and SiGe Oxide Nanowires………………6 1.4 Tin Oxide Nanowires and Nanobelts…………………8 1.5 Zinc Oxide Nanowires, Nanobelts and Nanorods…9 1.6 Property of ZnO…………………………………10 1.6.1 Crystal Structures…………………………………11 1.6.2 Luminescence of ZnO………………………………12 1.6.3 ZnO Nanowires Growth………………………13 1.6.3.1 Vapor-Liquid-Solid Growth Mechanism…………13 1.6.3.2 Vapor-Solid Growth Mechanism…………………14 1.6.3.3 Oxide-Assisted Growth Mechanism………………16 1.6.3.4 Solution-Liquid-Solid Growth Mechanism……17 1.7 Morphologies of ZnO………………………………18 Chapter 2 Experimental Procedures 2.1 Preparation of Ni and Co Catalysts…………………19 2.2 Growth of ZnO Nanowires…………………………20 2.3 Scanning Electron Microscope Observation……20 2.4 Transmission Electron Microscope Observation…21 2.5 Cathodoluminescence Measurement………………22 2.6 X-Ray Diffractometry……………………………23 Chapter 3 Results and Discussion 3.1 Effects of Temperature on the Growth of ZnO Nanowires……………………………………………24 3.2 Effects of Metal Layer Thickness on the Growth ZnO Nanowires……………………………………29 3.3 Effects of Carrier Gas to Reaction Gas Ratio……31 3.4 Initial Pressure Effect of ZnO Nanowires Growth…………………………………………………33 3.5 Cathodoluminescence of ZnO Nanowires Growth with Different Catalysts.…………………………34 Chapter 4 Summary and Conclusions……………36 References…………………………………………39 Figure Captions……………………………………53 Figures…………………………………………………56