Theoretical determination of the necessary conditions for the formation   of ZnO nanorings and nanohelices
  The formation of ZnO nanorings and nanohelices with large polar surfaces observed in experiments [Nano Lett. 3, 1625 (2003); J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126, 6703 (2004)] is shown to be a result of the competition between elastic energy, spontaneous polarization-induced surface energy, volume energy, and defect-induced energy. It is found that nanorings and nanohelices observed in experiments are stable and energetically favorable structures. 
Z. C. Tu, Q. X. Li, X. Hu