Synergistic effects of SPR and FRET on the photoluminescence of ZnO nanorod heterostructures

Solution-grown ZnO nanorods (NRs) were successfully conjugated with CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) and Ag nanoparticles (NPs) to suppress intrinsic defect emission and to enhance band-edge emission at the same time. First, high-density and high-crystallinity ZnO NRs of diameter 80–90 nm and length 1.2–1.5 μm were grown on glass substrates using a low-temperature seed-assisted solution method. The as-synthesized ZnO NRs showed sharp photoluminescence (PL) band-edge emission centered at ～377 nm together with broad defect emission in the range of ～450–800 nm. The ZnO NRs were decorated with CdSe/ZnS QDs and Ag NPs, respectively, by sequential drop-coating. The PL of CdSe/ZnS QD||ZnO NR conjugates showed that ZnO band-edge emission decreased by 73.8% due to fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and charge separation between ZnO and CdSe/ZnS by type II energy band structure formation. On the other hand, Ag NP||CdSe/ZnS QD||ZnO NR conjugates showed increased band-edge emission (by 25.8%) and suppressed defect emission compared to bare ZnO NRs. A possible energy transfer mechanism to explain the improved PL properties of ZnO NRs was proposed based upon the combined effects of FRET and surface plasmon resonance (SPR).     

Fabrication of optically enhanced ZnO nanorods and microrods using novel biocatalysts

We developed a straightforward method to produce hexagonal ZnO nanorods and microrods using a novel biocatalyst, Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum. ZnO nanorods were synthesized homogeneously on growth substrates when the bacterial catalysts were deposited uniformly on substrates whereas ZnO microrods were formed when the catalysts were introduced to selective areas of growth substrates using microcontact printing. X-ray diffraction measurements reveal that these ZnO structures exhibit Wurtzite structures with preferential growth along [0001] direction. Room-temperature photoluminescence spectra of the as-synthesized ZnO nanorods and microrods show extremely strong and sharp UV emission at 390 nm and negligible green emission at 510 nm. Our results demonstrate that Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum is an effective catalyst for the growth of nanometer- and micrometer-sized ZnO structures with exceptionally high-quality optical properties. These defect-free ZnO nano-and micro-materials, when combined with microcontact printing techniques to achieve patterned growth over large areas of substrates, can facilitate their photonic-based applications as optoelectronic devices and chemical/biological sensors.     

Synthesis of AgBr/ZnO nanocomposite with visible light-driven photocatalytic activity

AgBr/ZnO nanocomposite was synthesized via chemical precipitation from pure ZnO nanowires, AgNO₃, and NaBr. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy results confirmed the forming of AgBr/ZnO nanocomposite. High resolution transmission electron microscopy results of the as-synthesized AgBr/ZnO nanocomposite revealed that AgBr nanoparticles were attached to the surface of ZnO nanowires. UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra of both pure ZnO and AgBr/ZnO nanocomposite displayed a band gap edge at about 350-380 nm. However, compared with pure ZnO, an additional broad tail from approximately 400 nm to 700 nm appeared in the UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum of AgBr/ZnO nanocomposite. The photocatalytic studies indicated that the as-synthesized AgBr/ZnO nanocomposite was a kind of promising photocatalyst in remediation of water polluted by some chemically stable azo dyes under visible light.     

Partial conversion reaction of ZnO nanowires to ZnSe by a simple selenization method and their photocatalytic activities

A simple novel synthetic method for preparing ZnSe/ZnO heterostructured nanowire (NW) arrays via the selenization of ZnO NWs is reported. A hydrothermally grown ZnO NWs array on a glass substrate was reacted with selenium vapor to generate a 20–30 nm of zincblend ZnSe nanoparticles (NPs) on wurtzite ZnO NWs. A growth mechanism was proposed based on SEM, XRD, and TEM analysis to explain the partial chemical conversion of ZnO NW surfaces into ZnSe NPs. This mechanism is applicable to the synthesis of other chalcogenide compounds. The as-synthesized ZnSe/ZnO heterojunctions showed enhanced UV–visible light absorption properties. The materials exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity toward the decomposition of an organic dye compared to the bare ZnO due to enhanced light absorption and the type-II cascade band structure.     

Uniform ZnO nanorods can be used to improve the response of ZnO gas sensor

Uniform ZnO nanorods were synthesized in high-yield by using metal zinc powder as zinc source via a one-step facile hydrothermal process under mild conditions, in which cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) with ordered chain structures acted as the conversion of Zn powder into ZnO nanorods. The characterization results show that the as-synthesized products were structurally uniform and have diameters of 40–80 nm. Gas sensing properties studies show that ZnO nanorods exhibit more excellent response and stability to ethanol than that of ZnO nanoparticles. After working continuously for 50 days, the sensitivity of ZnO nanorods still retained 7.3, whereas, the ZnO nanoparticles showed only 1.0. The facile preparation method and the improved properties derived from typical rods-like nanostructure are significant for the future applications of gas sensing material.     

Enhancing stability and photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles by surface modification of graphene oxide

This work reports a simple method for the preparation of high-quality GO-ZnO nanocomposite materials. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the ZnO nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on the GO sheets and the diameter of the ZnO nanoparticles falls in 5-8 nm. Further experimental results imply that involving GO sheets into the system could remarkably prevent the aggregation of ZnO nanoparticles compared to pure ZnO. The photocatalytic activity and stability of the prepared GO-ZnO composite for the degradation of Acid Orange 7 (AO 7) under UV light irradiation is significantly enhanced in comparison to the as-synthesized pristine ZnO nanoparticles. Considering the high photocatalytic acitivity and relative stability, this high-quality GO-ZnO nanocomposite is beneficial for the applications in environmental engineering and other fields.     

Low-temperature synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles for inverted polymer solar cell application

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple wet chemical method at low temperature. Morphologies, crystalline structure, and optical transmission of ZnO nanoparticles were investigated. The results showed that the average diameter of as-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles was about 4.9 nm, the nanoparticles were wurtzite-structured (hexagonal) ZnO and had optical band gap of 3.28 eV. Very high optical transmission (>80 %) in visible light region of ZnO nanoparticulate thin films was achieved. Furthermore, an inverted polymer solar cell consisted of ZnO nanoparticles and polymer were fabricated. The device exhibited an open circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.50 V, a short circuit current density (J_sc) of 1.76 mA/cm², a fill-factor of 38 %, and a power conversion efficiency of 0.42 %.     

Fabrication and characterization of tetrapod-like ZnO nanostructures prepared by catalyst-free thermal evaporation

Tetrapod-like ZnO nanostructures were fabricated on ZnO-coated sapphire (001) substrates by two steps: pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and catalyst-free thermal evaporation process. First, the ZnO films were pre-deposited on sapphire (001) substrates by PLD. Then the ZnO nanostructures grew on ZnO-coated sapphire (001) substrate by the simple thermal evaporation of the metallic zinc powder at 900 °C in the air without any catalysts. The pre-deposited ZnO films by PLD on the substrates can provide growing sites for the ZnO nanostructures. The as-synthesized ZnO nanostructures were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR). The results show that the tetrapod-like ZnO nanostructures are highly crystalline with the wurtzite hexagonal structure. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of as-synthesized nanostructures exhibits a UV emission peak at ～ 389 nm and a broad green emission peak at ～ 513 nm. In addition, the growth mechanism of ZnO nanostructures is also briefly discussed.     

Synthesis,characterization and growth mechanism of ZnO nanowires on NiCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>-coated Si substrates

Well-crystallized ZnO nanowires have been successfully synthesized on NiCl₂-coated Si substrates via a carbon thermal reduction deposition process. The pre-deposited Ni nanoparticles by dipping the substrates into NiCl₂ solution can promote the formation of ZnO nuclei. The as-synthesized nanowires were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. The results demonstrate that the as-fabricated nanowires with about 60 nm in diameter and several tens of micrometers in length are preferentially arranged along [0001] direction with (0002) as the dominate surface. Room temperature PL spectrum illustrates that the ZnO nanowires exist a UV emission peak and a green emission peak, and the peak centers locate at 387 and 510 nm. Finally, the growth mechanism of the nanowires is briefly discussed.     

Influence of Mg doping on the microstructure and PL emission of wurtzite ZnO synthesized by microwave processing

In this paper, we report the synthesis of nano-structured Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and Magnesium doped Zinc Oxide (ZnO:Mg) using air stable and inexpensive chemicals, by microwave assisted processing. The as-synthesized ZnO and ZnO:Mg nanopowders were annealed at 800 °C for 1 h. The samples were further characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The crystallite size of ZnO decreased from 24 to 16 nm, and the intensity of most prominent vibration band of ZnO becomes weak when Mg dopant is added. SEM images of Mg doped ZnO showed clearly distinct hexagonal shaped nanoparticles with good crystalline quality and size contrast to ZnO. The PL result indicate that the ZnO exhibit strong and sharp UV emission peak at 380 nm. Our result showed that, by doping magnesium into ZnO, the UV emission peak shift towards the lower wavelength at ~370 nm with increasing intensity, which may be attributed to the size confinement. From this study, the microwave processing method has been proved to be successful for preparing other metal oxide nanopowders with good crystal quality.     

High-yield chemical synthesis of hexagonal ZnO nanoparticles and nanorods with excellent optical properties

Large yield and low temperature growth of nanostructures are key requirements for fulfilling the demand of large scale applications of nanomaterials. Here, we report a highly efficient chemical method to synthesize high quality hexagonal ZnO nanoparticle and nanorods utilizing the low temperature oxidation of metallic zinc powder in the presence of an appropriate catalyst. This one-step method has advantages such as low temperature (90 degrees C) and atmospheric pressure synthesis and a high yield (> 90%). Microstructure and optical properties of the as-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles are found to be identical or better than those of the commercial ZnO nanopower (Sigma-Aldrich). In particular, in comparison to the commercial nanopowder the as-grown ZnO nanorods and nanoparticles exhibit stronger UV absorption at 376 nm and intense UV photoluminescence emission at -382 nm, with negligible defect emission band. This method is suitable for large-scale production of nanosized ZnO and could be extended for the synthesis of other metal oxides.     

Chemical vapor deposition-based growth of aligned ZnO nanowires on polycrystalline Zn<Subscript>2</Subscript>GeO<Subscript>4</Subscript>:Mn substrates

ZnO nanowires have been grown on polycrystalline Zn₂GeO₄:Mn substrates for the first time using a chemical vapor deposition method. Both Zn and ZnO sources were used to supply Zn vapor in the growth process of ZnO nanowires. The Zn₂GeO₄:Mn substrates were prepared using solid-state ceramic synthesis methods, and average grain sizes of ~1 μm were achieved. The nanowires of diameters in the range of 100–200 nm and length of ~30 μm were observed. In addition to nanowires, other morphologies of ZnO nanostructures, such as ZnO tetrapods, were observed when Zn powder was used as the source for the CVD growth. The results reveal that polycrystalline substrates are also promising as novel alternative substrates for growth of ZnO nanostructures. The as-synthesized ZnO nanowire/Zn₂GeO₄:Mn composites are being developed for future electroluminescent devices.     

ZnO nanoparticles embedded in sapphire fabricated by ion implantation and annealing

ZnO nanoparticles were fabricated in sapphire (α-Al(2)O(3) single crystal) by Zn ion implantation (48?keV) at an ion fluence of 1 × 10(17)?cm(-2) and subsequent thermal annealing in a flowing oxygen atmosphere. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that metallic Zn nanoparticles of 3-10?nm in dimensions formed in the as-implanted sample and that ZnO nanoparticles of 10-12?nm in dimensions formed after annealing at 600?°C. A broad absorption band, peaked at 280?nm, appeared in the as-implanted crystal, due to surface plasma resonance (SPR) absorption of metallic Zn nanoparticles. After annealing at 600?°C, ZnO nanoparticles resulted in an exciton absorption peak at 360?nm. The photoluminescence (PL) of the as-implanted sample was very weak when using a He-Cd 325?nm line as the excitation source. However, two emission peaks appeared in the PL spectrum of ZnO nanopraticles, i.e., one ultraviolet (UV) peak at 370?nm and the other a green peak at 500?nm. The emission at 500?nm is stronger and has potential applications in green/blue light-emitting devices.     

The effect of fluorination of zinc oxide nanoparticles on evaluation of their biodistribution after oral administration

Monitoring of the behavior of metal nanoparticles in the body following exposure is very important for investigation of the physiological fates and safety of these nanoparticles. In this study, we investigated the behavior and accumulation of nano-scaled ZnO (20 nm) and submicro-scaled ZnO (100 nm) particles in organic tissues after oral administration using PET imaging. Both types of ZnO nanoparticle (20 or 100 nm) were labeled with the radionuclide (18)F in high yield via 'click reaction'. (18)F labeling on the ZnO nanoparticles was maintained stably in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) for 7 h. PET images indicated that (18)F and (18)F-ethoxy azide showed radioactivity in the bone and bladder 3 h after oral administration, whereas radioactivity for (18)F-labeled ZnO nanoparticles was seen only in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. At 5 h post-administration, biodistribution studies demonstrate that (18)F accumulated in the bone (10.19 ± 1.1%ID g(-1)) and (18)F-ethoxy azide showed radioactivity in the bone (7.55 ± 0.6%ID g(-1)), liver, and brain (0.94 ± 0.3%ID g(-1)). Unlike (18)F and (18)F-ethoxy azide, (18)F-labeled ZnO nanoparticles showed radioactivity in the lung, liver and kidney including the GI tract. Submicro-scaled (18)F-labeled ZnO nanoparticles (100 nm) showed stronger radioactivity in the liver and kidney compared to nano-scaled (18)F-labeled ZnO nanoparticles (20 nm). In conclusion, PET imaging has the potential to monitor and evaluate the behavior of ZnO nanoparticles absorbed in organic tissues following oral exposures.     

花状纳米氧化锌颗粒的制备及其光学性能研究

以硬脂酸锌和过氧化氢为原料，采用油相法一步合成出一种特殊的氧化锌花状纳米结构。利用透射电镜、高分辨电镜、X射线衍射等对其形貌和结构的分析表明：花状氧化锌纳米颗粒结构为六方晶相，大小约为30nm。吸收光谱和荧光光谱测量显示该纳米结构有显著的近带边紫光发射特性，对应的缺陷发光强度较弱，表明这一纳米结构有较好的光学特性，因此在生物荧光标记方面有着潜在的应用价值。     

蒸气氧化法制备掺锑氧化锌纳米颗粒的研究

以不同摩尔比的Zn-Sb合金为原料,采用加热蒸发氧化-冷凝的方法在相同的试验条件下获得了纯的和Sb掺杂的ZnO纳米颗粒.纳米颗粒的形貌、结构和化学状态分别通过TEM、HRTEM、XRD和XPS进行了表征.通过TEM观察发现:随原料中Sb量的增加,颗粒形貌由纯ZnO的四针状纳米晶须逐渐变化为棒状、四方形和六方形的颗粒状.六方形纳米颗粒的HRTEM分析表明:颗粒是结晶完好的纤锌矿结构的单晶,(1100)晶面间距比文献报道的纯ZnO的数值大.XRD没有检测到Sb掺杂ZnO纳米颗粒除ZnO外的其它物相,但XPS分析确定了Sb元素存在于纳米颗粒中.讨论了四针状纳米ZnO的形成及Sb的存在对颗粒形态的影响.     

Using mechanical technique for preparing antibacterial offset lithography ink with ZnO nanoparticles

This paper presents a study on antibacterial performance of an offset lithography/ZnO nanocomposite ink prepared using a mechanical mixing technique. The hybrid ink exhibited very good antibacterial activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Bacillus Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The thermal properties of the pure and nanoparticle loaded ink films were evaluated using TGA and DSC techniques. Moreover, the quality of dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles within the ink matrix was characterized by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).     

Novel and simple synthesis of ZnO nanospheres through decomposing zinc borate nanoplatelets

Spherical zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles had been successfully synthesized through decomposing zinc borate nanoplatelets at high temperature. The resulted ZnO nanospheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), which indicated that ZnO had the hexagonal structure. Field-emission-scanning electron micrographs (SEM) revealed that ZnO nanoparticles had perfect spherical shape with narrow size distribution (average diameters 50 nm). These nanoparticles showed a broad emission band centered at 438 nm using an excitation wave of 325 nm at room temperature. Moreover, the sample was characterized by N₂ adsorption-desorption and the pore size distribution showed a sharp peak at 3.1 nm.     

Single-step synthesis of MWCNT/ZnO nanocomposite using co-chemical vapor deposition method

Single-step synthesis of MWCNT and ZnO nanocomposite was conducted by co-chemical vapor deposition method. Electron microscopic analysis revealed that the fabricated nanostructures consisted of MWCNTs with a diameter of 60-70 nm which were coated with ZnO nanoparticles with an average size of 20-30 nm. The growth of ZnO nanoparticles took place after the formation of MWCNTs. EDS and XRD analyses could confirm the high crystallinity of ZnO deposited on the MWCNT surface. In comparison with pristine MWCNTs and ZnO nanoparticles, the UV absorption of MWCNT/ZnO nanocomposite was changed through modification with ZnO nanoparticles.     

Preparation and characterizations of polyaniline (PANI)/ZnO nanocomposites film using solution casting method

Polyaniline (PANI)-ZnO nanoparticles composites film has been successfully fabricated by solution casting technique on glass substrate in which ZnO nanopowder was prepared via auto combustion method and used as inorganic materials. The as-grown nanocomposites film has been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for their structural and morphological characterizations. X-ray diffraction studies of as-grown film showed the reflection of ZnO nanoparticles along with a broad peak of PANI. The AFM study of the film shows the incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles into the polymer matrix which was further supported by roughness measurement. TEM images showed that the size of ZnO nanoparticles in the nanocomposites increase from ~ 35 nm to ~ 45 nm, indicating the interaction of nanoparticles with PANI molecular chains. FTIR spectra showed a band at 501 cm⁻¹ due to ZnO nanoparticles while the hydrogen bonding between the amine group of PANI and ZnO nanoparticles had been confirmed from the presence of the absorption band at 1148 cm⁻¹.