Templated one step electrodeposition of high aspect ratio n-type ZnO nanowire arrays

High aspect ratio Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanowires (NWs) were synthesized by template based one-step electrochemical deposition (OSECD) technique. The electro-reduction of hydroxide ions in the presence of Zn2+ ions within Zn(NO3)2 is involved in the growth of ultra thin NWs arrays. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) images revealed that the growth rates of different crystal faces, (0 0 0 1) and (0001¯), were different at different deposition potential for the high aspect ratios ZnO NWs arrays. The n-type semiconductor conductivity of ZnO NWs was ascertained by a Hot-Probe approach. X-ray diffraction results demonstrated that the grown ZnO NWs had wurtzite crystal structure with unit cell parameters a = 2.93 Å, c = 5.45 Å and a deterioration of preferred (1 0 1) orientation is observed at more negative deposition potentials. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) results evidenced that the NW arrays grown at −1.2 V have higher fraction of larger crystallites. Micro-Raman spectroscopy analysis showed that the variation in E2 (high) vibration mode at 435 cm−1 is coupled with an increase in electro acceptor oxygen atoms incorporated within ZnO NWs at −1.2 V.

Graphical abstractGrowth characteristics of high aspect ratio, aligned ZnO nanowire arrays by one step electrodeposition from Zn(NO3)2·6H2O electrolyte in polycarbonate membranes.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (127 K)Download as PowerPoint slide