Few-Layer ZnO Nanosheets: Preparation, Properties, and Films with Exposed {001} Facets

Highly crystalline ZnO nanosheets have been prepared by the solvothermal transformation of a delaminated layered zinc hydroxide salt. This strategy has proven to be reproducible and scalable. The nanosheets, with a total thickness of 0.6–0.7 nm, are built from two or three stacked ZnO tetrahedral layers. The lateral size varies between 15 and 25 nm. The nanosheets can be arranged into transparent films with a high area of polar {001} facets. Defects in the ZnO films can be tuned by annealing.