Fundamentals and properties of zinc oxide nanostructures: Optical and sensing applications

In this paper we will give an overview of the status of catalytic growth and of low-temperature chemical growth of ZnO nanostructures performed in our laboratory. Particularly results employing different substrates will be discussed. The second part deals with structural and optical properties of ZnO nanorods. The results from high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), photoluminescence (PL), Cathodoluminescence (CL), and Electroluminescence (EL), on single nanowires will be shown. Our results on surface morphology, bulk and the position of the catalyst as well as the optical properties including UV emission, lasing and white emission will all be presented and discussed. In the third part experimental results from electroluminescence of ZnO nanorods on different substrates in the UV in addition to excellent white light emission obtained from samples grown at low temperature are to be given and discussed. Finally the sensing of molecules in water by ZnO nanorods will be discussed from a theoretical point of view. Also fundamental properties of polaritons and excitons in ZnO nanostructures are to be highlighted.