Here, we presented a novel, facile, catalyst-free, and yet fast oxidation method to synthesize ZnO nanostructures from alpha brass powders in the air atmosphere. X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy characterizations have been performed on the synthesized ZnO nanostructures. Phase identification studies showed that high purity ZnO nanocrystals have successfully grown. Employing brass powder helped to control zinc vapor pressure during thermal evaporation process. Morphological observation revealed two different microstructures for the synthesized ZnO nanocrystals including (1) nanocombs resulted from prealloyed Cu–20Zn, and (2) tetrapod-like from the prealloyed Cu–27Zn, and/or mixed Cu and Zn powders. Due to ease, process controllability as well as economic benefits, the introduced method can be of interest in industrial-scale applications.
