ID-nanostructural zinc oxide (ZnO) with different shapes have been synthesized on P-type Si(1 0 0) and grass substrates via vapor phase growth by heating pure zinc powder at temperatures between 480 and 570 degreesC. The different ZnO nanostructures depend on the substrates and the growth temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction revealed that a well-aligned nanowires array, which are vertical to the substrate of Si(1 0 0) with 18 sides on their heads. but six sides on their stems.. has been formed at 480 degreesC. Raman study on the ZnO nanostructures shows that the coupling strength between electron and phonon determined by the ratio of the second- to the first-order Raman scattering cross-sections declines with decreasing diameter of the nanowires. However, a little changes of the coupling strength in terms of the width of the nanobelts is have been observed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.