Two-dimensional ZnO-NiO macroporous arrays: Fabrication, structure and electrical properties

Colloidal templating and pulsed laser deposition were combined to fabricate arrays of ordered two-dimensional macroporous ZnO-NiO thin films. The underlying principles involved in the formation of colloidal templates were investigated using Fourier transformations and radial distribution functions. The macroporous thin film consists of hollow half-spheres of nanocrystalline wurtzite ZnO and rock salt NiO. The electrical properties of macroporous ZnO-NiO thin films were investigated by impedance and DC current-voltage measurements. The electrical properties are controlled by the interfaces between oxide grains. The potential applications such as gas sensors and optics are discussed.