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Synthesis of linear ZnO structures by a thermal decomposition method and their characterisation

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Abstract

The semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) is a promising material for applications in optoelectronics, photochemistry and chemical sensing. Furthermore, ZnO structures can be grown with a large variety of sizes and shapes. Devices with ZnO rods or wires as their core elements can be used in solar cells, gas sensors or biosensors. In this article, an easy approach for the non-aqueous wet chemical synthesis of ZnO structures is presented that employs the solvent trioctylamine (TOA) and the surfactant hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA). Using the thermal decomposition method, rod-shaped structures were grown that are suitable for the fabrication of electrical devices. A detailed study was carried out to investigate the effects of various reaction parameters on the growth process. Both the concentration of the surfactant HMTA and the zinc precursor zincacetylacetonate (Zn(acac)2) were found to show strong effects on the resulting morphology. In addition to structural characterisation using XRD, SEM and TEM, also optical properties of rod-shaped ZnO structures were measured. Rod-shaped structures were obtained for the following conditions: reaction time 4 h, reaction temperature 70 °C, 1 mmol of Zn(acac)2, 4 mmol of HMTA and 25 mL of the solvent TOA. Photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy of samples grown under these conditions provided information on levels of defect states that could be critical for chemical sensing applications. Two narrow peaks around 254 and 264 nm were found that are well above the band gap of ZnO.

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Acknowledgement

This study is funded by the National Measurement System of the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills through the Strategic Research Programme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Analytical Science Division, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK

    K. K. Devarepally & M. Munz

  2. Advanced Technology Institute, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK

    K. K. Devarepally, D. C. Cox, V. Stolojan & R. J. Curry

  3. Time Quantum & Electromagnetics Division, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK

    D. C. Cox

  4. Materials Division, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK

    A. T. Fry

Authors
  1. K. K. Devarepally
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  2. D. C. Cox
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  3. A. T. Fry
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  4. V. Stolojan
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  5. R. J. Curry
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  6. M. Munz
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Correspondence to M. Munz.

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Devarepally, K.K., Cox, D.C., Fry, A.T. et al. Synthesis of linear ZnO structures by a thermal decomposition method and their characterisation. J Mater Sci 47, 1893–1901 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-011-5978-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-011-5978-6

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