Growth specificity of vertical ZnO nanorods on patterned seeded substrates through integrated chemical process

A simple and cost effective method has been employed for the random growth and oriented ZnO nanorod arrays over as-prepared and patterned seeded glass substrates by low temperature two step growth process and growth specificity by direct laser writing (DLW) process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and X-ray diffraction analysis confirm the growth of vertical ZnO nanorods with perfect (0 0 2) orientation along c-axis which is in conjunction with optimizing the parameters at different reaction times and temperatures. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show the formation of vertical ZnO nanorods with diameter and length of ∼120 nm and ∼400 nm respectively. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopic studies show a narrow emission at ∼385 nm and a broad visible emission from 450 to 600 nm. Further, site-selective ZnO nanorod growth is demonstrated for its high degree of control over size, orientation, uniformity, and periodicity on a positive photoresist ZnO seed layer by simple geometrical (line, circle and ring) patterns of 10 μm and 5 μm dimensions. The demonstrated control over size, orientation and periodicity of ZnO nanorods process opens up an opportunity to develop multifunctional properties which promises their potential applications in sensor, piezoelectric, and optoelectronic devices.

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► Simple integrated chemical process was adopted for specific ZnO nanorod growth.
► Size and orientation of nanorods are well controlled by optimum reaction time and temperature.
► Different site-selective ZnO nanorod growths are demonstrated.