Well-aligned ZnO nanorod arrays were synthesized successfully on Ag-deposited glass substrates using a two-step process and controlling specific conditions. The process involved modified sol-gel and chemical solution growth methods. The surface morphologies and structure of as-prepared ZnO nanorods were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), the selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS), fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). The XRD and SEM results showed that the ZnO nanorod arrays have hexagonal wurtzite structure and have been completely oxidized and translated into crystalline ZnO in the hexagonal wurtzite phase. The TEM and SAED investigation indicated that the ZnO nanorods have regular morphology and are single crystalline ZnO nanorods with hexagonal wurtzite structure. The main absorption bands appeared at 1384 and 1636 cm^－1 is corresponding to the stretching vibration peak of Zn—O, and the main bands at 418 and 541 cm^－1 corresponds to rod structure of ZnO. Furthermore, the growth mechanism of ZnO nanorods were illustrated.

Key words: ZnO, nanorod, array, aligned, specific conditions