Abstract: | Pencil‐like ZnO nanostructure was synthesized by directly oxidizing granular Zn films, which was thermal deposited in a nitrogen atmosphere from Zn powder in a horizontal tube furnace. The formation of the pencil‐like structure, including a hexagonal rod and a sharp tip with diameter about 60 nm, highly depend on the thickness of the initial zinc film and the temperature of the oxidizing process. ZnO nanorods were formed in a relatively low temperature, while thicker zinc film was apt to form a dense ZnO film with tubular structures. The different structured ZnO materials showed distinguishing optical properties which indicate the intrinsic defects forming in the different growth conditions. The pencil‐like ZnO structures exhibit a relatively strong green emission attributed to the high concentrations of oxygen vacancies and its taper tip has great prospects in field‐emission devices. |