Polymorphic transformation of dense ZnO nanoparticles: implications for chair/boat-type Peierls distortions of AB semiconductor.

Peierls distortion path was proved experimentally for dense ZnO nanoparticles prepared by static compression. Electron irradiation caused rock salt (R) to wurtzite (W) transition, following preferential (111)(R)//(0111)(W); [011](R)//[1213](W) and then transformation strain induced (111)(R)//(1011)(W); [011](R)//[0111](W). The two relationships can be rationalized by specified extent of chair- and boat-type Peierls distortions accompanied with band gap opening and intermediate {111}R slip for energetically favorable {111}R/(0111)W match.