One-Dimensional ZnO Nanostructure: Growth & Device Applications

Abstract

ZnO is a widely studied material owing to their wide bandgap, stability and numerous possibilities for optoelectronic applications. There are number of techniques for the fabrication of ZnO nanostructures. Most of these techniques are solution-based processes. Though there is a huge increase in surface to volume ratio for ZnO nanoparticles compared to that of bulk, the number of grain boundaries is also more. In one dimensional nanostructures, there is a significant reduction in the number of grain boundaries when compared to other nanoparticles. This chapter gives a brief overview of different growth techniques adopted for the fabrication of such one dimensional nanostructures. The ability to tune the size and shape of these nanostructures make them suitable for several electronic applications. Such applications of one-dimensional ZnO nanostructures include conventional two-terminal devices like diodes, LEDs, solar cells, etc., as well as three-terminal devices like transistors, energy generators and memory devices.