Synthesis of ZnO nanoflowers and their wettabilities and photocatalytic properties.

By combing laser direct writing and hydrothermal growth, we demonstrate the growth of three-dimensional flowerlike ZnO nanostructures from aqueous solution. Our approach offers synthetic flexibility in controlling film architecture, coating texture and crystallite size. The wettability is studied by measurement of time-dependent contact angles in the as-grown samples. In addition, superior photocatalytic activity of the flowerlike ZnO nanostructures in the degradation of Rhodamine B is investigated as well. The influence factors and formation mechanism of the flowerlike ZnO nanostructures are also analyzed and discussed.