Growth and replication of ordered ZnO nanowire arrays on general flexible substrates

Vertically aligned and site controllable ZnO nanowire arrays have been synthesized and replicated via hydrothermal method on general flexible substrates. The replication was demonstrated for three generations. The morphology and density of the nanowire arrays could be optimized in the original generation by adjusting the chemical reaction parameters. The pattern of the original generation was inherited by the succeeding generations by a new transferring method. The growth mechanism of the replicated nanowire arrays was investigated with the help of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching and AFM tip scanning. The robustness of the ZnO nanowire arrays was obviously improved compared with the seedless ZnO nanowires grown on Au (111) surface, according to the excellent morphology preservation after ultrasonic wave treatment.