Growth of freestanding nano- and microstructures with complex morphologies is a highly desired aspect for real applications of nanoscale materials in various technologies. Zinc oxide tetrapods (ZnO-T), which exhibit three-dimensional (3D) shapes, are of major importance from a technological applications point of view, and thus efficient techniques for growth of different varieties of tetrapod-based networks are demanded. Here, we demonstrate the versatile and single-step synthesis of ZnO-T with different arm morphologies by a simple flame transport synthesis (FTS) approach, forming a network. Morphological evolutions and structural intactness of these tetrapods have been investigated in detail by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and micro-Raman measurements. For a deeper understanding of the crystallinity, detailed high-resolution transmission electron microscopic studies on a typical ZnO tetrapod structure are presented. The involved growth mechanism for ZnO tetrapods with various arm morphologies is discussed with respect to variations in experimental conditions. These ZnO-T have been utilized for photocatalytic degradation and nanosensing applications. The photocatalytic activities of these ZnO-T with different arm morphologies forming networks have been investigated through the photocatalytic decolorization of a methylene blue (MB) solution under UV light illumination at ambient temperature. The results show that these ZnO-T exhibit strong photocatalytic activities against MB and its complete degradation can be achieved in very short time. In another application, a prototype of nanoelectronic sensing device has been built from these ZnO-T interconnected networks and accordingly utilized for UV detection and H2 gas sensing. The fabricated device structures showed excellent sensing behaviors for promising practical applications. The involved sensing mechanisms with respect to UV photons and H2 gas are discussed in detail. We consider that such multifunctional nanodevices based on ZnO tetrapod interconnected networks will be of interest for various advanced applications.

Two flame-based synthesis methods are presented for fabricating ZnO-nanostructure-based UV photodetectors: burner flame transport synthesis (B-FTS)and crucible flame transport synthesis (C-FTS). B-FTS allows rapid growth of ZnO nanotetrapods and in situ bridging of them into electrical contacts. The photo detector made from interconnected ZnO nanotetrapod networks exhibits fast response/recovery times and a high current ratio under UV illumination.

Flexible, electrically conducting, high temperature stable ceramics with very high porosities are fabricated from interpenetrated metal oxide nano‐microstructures in a versatile manner in a novel flame transport synthesis approach. The Young's modulus of these networks can be tuned from wool type to rubber like based on the density, type and interconnections of the building blocks. Semiconducting behavior allows multifunctional applications like the electrical readout of the mechanical history.

Direct growth of quasi-one-dimensional nano- and microstructures in desired places of complex shaped substrates using simple growth methods is highly demanded aspect for various applications. In this work, we have demonstrated direct integration of ZnO nano- and microneedles into Si trenches by a novel flame transport synthesis approach in a single fabrication step. Growth of partially and fully covered or filled trenches in Si substrate with ZnO nano- and microneedles has been investigated and is discussed here. Detailed microstructural studies revealed the evolution of the ZnO nano- and microneedles as well as their firm adhesion to the wall in the Si trenches. Micro-photoluminescence measurements at different locations along the length of needles confirmed the good crystalline quality and also the presence of whispering gallery mode resonances on the top of needles due to their hexagonal shape. Faceted ZnO nano- and microstructures are also very important candidates with regard to photocatalytic activity. First, photocatalytic measurements from the grown ZnO nano- and microneedles have shown strong degradation of methylene blue, which demonstrate that these structures can be of significant interest for photocatalysis and self-cleaning chromatography columns.

We demonstrate a new technique that requires a relatively low temperature of 670–800 °C to synthesize in 10–20 min high crystalline quality MoO3 nano- and microbelts and ribbons. The developed technological process allows rapid synthesis of large amounts of MoO3 nano- and microsheets, belts, and ribbons, and it can be easily scaled up for various applications. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies revealed that the MoO3 nano- and microbelts and ribbons are synthesized uniformly, and the thickness is observed to vary from 20 to 1000 nm. The detailed structural and vibrational studies on grown structures confirmed an excellent agreement with the standard data for orthorhombic α-MoO3. Also, such freestanding nano- and microstructures can be transferred to different substrates and dispersed individually. Using focused ion beam SEM, MoO3-based 2D nano- and microsensors have been integrated on a chip and investigated in detail. The nanosensor structures based on MoO3 nano- and microribbons are quite stable and moderately reversible with respect to rises and drops in ethanol vapors. It was found that MoO3 nano- and microribbons of various sizes exhibit different sensitivity and selectivity with respect to ethanol, methanol, and hydrogen gases. The developed technique has great potential for further studies of different metal oxides, nano- and microsensor fabrication, and especially for multifunctional applications.