Microwave Assisted Synthesis of ZnO Nano-Sheets and Their Application in UV-Detector

Abstract

Here we report a low cost electrochemical aqueous solution method for synthesis of high quality two dimensional flat ZnO nano-sheets using standard home use microwave-oven. Independent studies by field emission scanning electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy confirm the formation of very thin graphene-like nanosheets of ZnO. The high quality of the sheets is confirmed from a photoluminescence study, which shows the presence of a narrow and sharp band edge emission at 360 nm and the presence of a weak defect related emission peak in the visible region. The conductivity of the nanosheets increases dramatically upon illumination of UV lights as compared to the dark condition. The better crystal quality and excellent photo conductivity ensure these ZnO nanosheets can be used as potential UV detector. It is also found that both response and recovery times of ZnO nano-sheets are very fast and are comparable to those of nanowires and nanorods.