Abstract
In this article, we have reported the controlled synthesis of uniformly grown zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) films by a simple, low-cost, and scalable pulsed spray pyrolysis technique. From the surface analysis it is noticed that the as-deposited films have uniformly dispersed NPs-like morphology. The structural studies reveal that these NPs films have highly crystalline hexagonal crystal structure, which are preferentially orientated along the (001) planes. The size of the NPs varied between 5 and 100 nm, and exhibited good stoichiometric chemical composition. Raman spectroscopic analysis reveals that these ZnO NPs films have pure single phase and hexagonal crystal structure. These unique nanostructured films exhibited a low electrical resistivity (5 Ωcm) and high light transmittance (90 %) in visible region.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alim KA, Fonoberov VA, Shamsa M, Balandin AA (2005) Micro-Raman investigation of optical phonons in ZnO nanocrystals. J Appl Phys 97(12):124313–124317
Ayouchi R, Leinen D, Martin F, Gabas M, Dalchiele E, Ramos-Barrado JR (2003) Preparation and characterization of transparent ZnO thin films obtained by spray pyrolysis. Thin Solid Films 426(1–2):68–77
Chen TH, Fang FY, Hung LW, Ji SJ, Chang SJ, Young, Hsiao YJ (2008) The crystallization and physical properties of Al-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Appl Surf Sci 254(18):5791–5795
Cheng HM, Lin KF, Hsu HC, Lin CJ, Lin LJ, Hsieh WF (2005) Enhanced resonant Raman scattering and electron–phonon coupling from self-assembled secondary ZnO nanoparticles. J Phys Chem B 109(39):18385–18390
Cong GW, Wei HY, Zhang PF, Peng WQ, Wu JJ, Liu XL, Jiao CM, Hu WG, Zhu QS, Wang ZG (2005) One-step growth of ZnO from film to vertically well-aligned nanorods and the morphology-dependent Raman scattering. Appl Phys Lett 87(23):231903–231905
Gabl R, Feucht HD, Zeininger H, Eckstein G, Schreiter M, Primig R, Pitzer D, Wersing W (2004) First results on label-free detection of DNA and protein molecules using a novel integrated sensor technology based on gravimetric detection principles. Biosens Bioelectron 19(6):615–620
Germeau A, Roest AL, Vanmaekelbergh D, Allan G, Delerue C, Meulenkamp EA (2003) Optical transitions in artificial few-electron atoms strongly confined inside ZnO nanocrystals. Phys Rev Lett 90(9):097401–097404
Guillen E, Azaceta E, Peter LM, Zukal A, Tena-Zaera R, Anta JA (2011) ZnO solar cells with an indoline sensitizer: a comparison between nanoparticulate films and electrodeposited nanowire arrays. Energy Environ Sci 4:3400–3407
Haacke (1977) Transparent conducting coatings. Ann Rev Mater Sci 7:73–93
Hassan NK, Hashim MR, Al-Douri Y, Al-Heuseen K (2012) Current dependence growth of ZnO nanostructures by electrochemical deposition technique. Int J Electrochem Sci 7:4625–4635
Huang XJ, Choi YK (2007) Chemical sensors based on nanostructured materials. Sens Actuators B 122(2):659–671
Keis K, Magnusson E, Lindstrom H, Lindquist SE, Hagfeldt A (2002) A 5% efficient photoelectrochemical solar cell based on nanostructured ZnO electrodes. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 73(1):51–58
Kim BK, Choi SD (2004) SnO2 thin film gas sensor fabricated by ion beam deposition. Sens Actuators B 98(2–3):239–246
Koteeswara Reddy N, Ramakrishna Reddy KT (2007) Preparation and characterisation of sprayed tin sulphide films grown at different precursor concentrations. Mater Chem Phys 102:13–18
Koteeswara Reddy N, Ahsanulhaq Q, Kim JH, Hahn YB (2008) Well-aligned ZnO nanorods for device applications: synthesis and characterisation of ZnO nanorods and n-ZnO/p-Si heterojunction diodes. Europhys Lett 81(3):38001
Lee JH (2009) Gas sensors using hierarchical and hollow oxide nanostructures: overview. Sens Actuators B 140(1):319–336
Leschkies KS, Beatty TJ, Kang MS, Norris DJ, Aydil ES (2009) Solar cells based on junctions between colloidal PbSe nanocrystals and thin ZnO films. ACS Nano 3(11):3638–3648
Li Z, Yang R, Yu M, Bai F, Li C, Wang ZL (2008) Cellular level biocompatibility and biosafety of ZnO nanowires. J Phys Chem C 112(51):20114–20117
Lo SS, Huang D (2010) Morphological variation and Raman spectroscopy of ZnO hollow microspheres prepared by a chemical colloidal process. Langmuir 26(9):6762–6766
Mead DG, Wilkinson GR (1977) The temperature dependence of the Raman effect in some wurtzite type crystals. J Raman Spectrosc 6(3):123–129
Ozgur U, Alivov YI, Liu C, Teke A, Reshchikov MA, Dogan S, Avrutin V, Cho SJ, Morkoc H (2005) A comprehensive review of ZnO materials and devices. J Appl Phys 98(4):041301–041404
Pandey, Sanjay SS, Yadav RS (2010) Application of ZnO nanoparticles in influencing the growth rate of cicer arietinum. J Exp Nanosci 5(6):488–497
Pearton SJ, Norton DP, Ip K, Heo YW, Steiner T (2005) Recent progress in processing and properties of ZnO. Prog Mater Sci 50(3):293–340
Sato-Berru RY, Vazquez-Olmos A, Fernandez-Osorio AL, Sotres-Martinez S (2007) Micro-Raman investigation of transition-metal-doped ZnO nanoparticles. J Raman Spectrosc 38(9):1073–1076
Scott JF (1970) UV resonant Raman scattering in ZnO. Phys Rev B 2(4):1209–1211
Shoyama M, Hashimoto N (2003) Effect of poly ethylene glycol addition on the microstructure and sensor characteristics of SnO2 thin films prepared by sol–gel method. Sens Actuators B 93(1–3):585–589
Studenikin SA, Golego N, Cocivera M (1998) Optical and electrical properties of undoped ZnO films grown by spray pyrolysis of zinc nitrate solution. J Appl Phys 83(4):2104–2111
Turner S, Tavernier SMF, Huyberechts G, Biermans E, Bals S, Batenburg KJ, Van Tendeloo G (2010) Assisted spray pyrolysis production and characterisation of ZnO nanoparticles with narrow size distribution. J Nanopart Res 12(2):615–622
Wang ZL (2000) Transmission electron microscopy of shape-controlled nanocrystals and their assemblies. J Phys Chem B 104(6):1153–1175
Wang ZL (2004) Zinc oxide nanostructures: growth, properties and applications. J Phys Condens Matter 16(25):R829–R858
Wang L, Sun Y, Wang J, Wang J, Yu A, Zhang H, Song D (2010) Water-soluble ZnO–Au nanocomposite-based probe for enhanced protein detection in a SPR biosensor system. J Colloid Interface Sci 351(2):392–397
Wesselinowa JM, Apostolov AT (2010) Origin of the acoustic phonon frequency shifts in semiconducting nanoparticles. Phys Lett A 374(43):4455–4457
Xu S and Wang ZL (2011) One-dimensional ZnO nanostructures: solution growth and functional properties. Nano Res. doi: 10.1007/s12274-011-0160-7
Zak AK, Razali R, Majid WHA, Darroudi M (2011) Synthesis and characterization of a narrow size distribution of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Int J Nanomedicine 6:1399–1403
Zhang Q, Dandeneau CS, Zhou X, Cao G (2009) ZnO nanostructures for dye-sensitized solar cells. Adv Mater 21(41):4087–4108
Acknowledgments
Dr. N. K. Reddy, wish to acknowledge the CSIR for the sanction of SRA fellowship under the scheme of Scientist’s pool (A-8525). Further, all the authors are highly acknowledging the support of MNCF staff, IISc, Bangalore in the characterization of these structures.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Electronic supplementary material
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Babu, M.S., Prashantha, M., Reddy, N.K. et al. Development of uniformly grown ZnO NPs films using single precursor solution by pulsed spray pyrolysis technique. J Nanopart Res 15, 1464 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-013-1464-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-013-1464-1