Field emission properties of ZnO nanorod arrays by few seed layers assisted growth

• Published in: Applied surface science 2015-03, Vol.331, p.497-503
• Main Authors: Liu, Yufang, Li, Chun, Wang, Jiesheng, Fan, Xiaoyan, Yuan, Guang, Xu, Shunfu, Xu, Mingchan, Zhang, Jing, Zhao, Yongjiao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arrays; Band structure of solids; Density; Effective emission area; Field emission; Nanostructure; Seed layers; Seeds; Silicon substrates; Zinc oxide; ZnO nanorod arrays
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2015.01.061

ZnO nanorod arrays growth on few seed layers was synthesized using a simple two-step process with sol–gel and hydrothermal methods. The effect of seed layers on structure, energy band, and field emission properties of ZnO nanorods has been studied. The ZnO nanorod arrays grown on the 4 layer shows larger density and better vertical orientation. The PL spectra of the ZnO nanorod arrays grown on different numbers of seed layer also were studied. The intensity ratios of the 4 seed layer and ZnO nanorod array grown on 4 seed layer show the largest values, which indicates that there are the most intrinsic defects in the sample. The defects may provide better conductivity. The ZnO nanorod array grown on the 4 layers possesses better field emission property. •ZnO nanorod arrays assisted growth on few seed layer was synthesized using a simple two-step process with sol–gel and hydrothermal methods.•The effect of seed layers on structure, energy band, and field emission properties of ZnO nanorods has been studied.•The ZnO nanorod array grown on the 4 layers possesses field emission property. ZnO nanorod arrays were grown on Si substrate by a simple two-step process with sol–gel and hydrothermal methods. To investigate the effect of seed layers on the growth of ZnO nanorods, different numbers of the seed layers have been spin-coated on the substrates. The morphologies of ZnO nanorods including diameter, density, length, and orientation have been studied. The crystallization and band structure have also been discussed. The correlation between the nanorod arrays grown on different seed layers and field emission (FE) properties has also been analyzed. The ZnO nanorod array grown on 4 seed layers possesses the best field emission properties, including a lowest turn-on electric field of 13.3V/μm and largest field emission current. It can be attributed to the higher field enhancement factor, the vertical orientation, larger density, and better conductivity of the nanorod arrays.