Catalyst-free synthesis of ZnO microrod arrays on SiC substrate and their tunable photoluminescence by erosion process

We present here the results on the preparation and characterization of highly oriented ZnO microrods fabricated on SiC substrate via a vapor solid route. These ZnO microrods grow along the c-axis perpendicularly to the substrate and are well separated from each other. Photoluminescence (PL) due to the band-gap emission (centered at 380 nm) and defect-related deep band emission (centered at 530 nm) were observed. Tunable PL intensities of these two bands were achieved by acid etching for varying durations.

► This paper describes a procedure for catalyst-free synthesis of ZnO microrods using a CVD method. ► Such a technique is of interest since it is a bottom-up procedure for micro- and possibly nano-sized growth. ► The PL intensities of the ZnO microrods can be tuned by acid etching which provides useful information for optical applications of ZnO material.