ZnO thin films assembled with large-scale ZnO nanostructured arrays, including nanorod, nanoflower and com-like nanorod, have been respectively fabricated on zinc substrates by a chemical solution approach. ZnO thin films of different nanorod arrays were obtained through the hydrothermal treatment of Zn foils at 60 degrees C, respectively in NH(3) center dot H(2)O solution and in the mixed solution of NH(3) center dot H(2)O and NaOH. Whereas ZnO thin films consisting of nanoflowers and com-like nanorod arrays were obtained respectively in the two kinds of solutions when mechanical oscillation is used instead of hydrothermal treatment. Compared with hydrothermal synthesis, mechanical oscillation provides a convenient approach for nanostructure synthesis. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.