Correlation between Morphology and Defect Luminescence in Precipitated ZnO Nanorod Powders

• Published in: Crystal growth & design 2009-02, Vol.9 (2), p.997-1001
• Main Authors: Bitenc, Marko, Podbršček, Peter, Crnjak Orel, Zorica, Cleveland, Michael A, Paramo, J. Antonio, Peters, Raul M, Strzhemechny, Yuri M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Methods of nanofabrication; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of bulk materials and thin films; Other topics in nanoscale materials and structures; Physics; Quantum wires
• ISSN: 1528-7483; 1528-7505
• DOI: 10.1021/cg8008078

ZnO nanorods were prepared at relatively low temperatures by homogeneous precipitation from zinc nitrate and urea in a water/ethylene glycol mixture. Crystal size and morphology are controlled by growth time and solvent composition. We observed a strong correlation between nanocrystals’ size/morphology and their optoelectronic defect-related properties. Smaller crystallites exhibited intense deep-defect luminescence and enhanced emission related to near-surface excitonic recombination. Longer growth times lead to formation of well-defined nanorods with hexagonal symmetry exhibiting reduced defect emission.