Abstract
We demonstrate a straightforward and effective method to synthesize vertically oriented, Cu-doped ZnO nanorods (NRs) using a novel multipurpose platform of copper silicide nanoblocks (Cu3Si NBs) preformed laterally in well-defined directions on Si. The use of the surface-organized Cu3Si NBs for ZnO NR growth successfully results in densely assembled Cu-doped ZnO NRs on each NB platform, whose overall structures resemble thick bristles on a brush head. We show that Cu3Si NBs can uniquely serve as a catalyst for ZnO NRs, a local dopant source of Cu, and a prepatterned guide to aid the local assembly of the NRs on the growth substrate. We also ascertain the crystalline structures, optical properties, and spectroscopic signatures of the Cu-doped ZnO NRs produced on the NBs, both at each module of NRs/NB and at their ensemble level. Subsequently, we determine their augmented properties relative to the pristine form of undoped ZnO NRs and the source material of Cu3Si NBs. We provide spatially correlated structural and optical data for individual modules of Cu-doped ZnO NRs assembled on a Cu3Si NB by resolving them along the different positions on the NB. Ensemble-averaged versus individual behaviors of Cu-doped ZnO NRs on Cu3Si NBs are then compared. We further discuss the potential impact of such ZnO-derived NRs on their relatively unexplored biological and biomedical applications. Our efforts will be particularly useful when exploiting each integrated module of self-aligned, Cu-doped ZnO NRs on a NB as a discretely addressable, active element in solid-state sensors and miniaturized luminescent bioprobes.
Highlights
Optical properties of one dimensional (1D) zinc oxide nanowires and nanorods (ZnO NWs and NRs) have been extensively studied and optimized for photonic [1,2,3,4], optoelectronic [5,6,7,8,9,10,11], and biosensing applications [12,13,14]
Our results indicated that fluorescence emission and Raman scattering were sensitive to Cu addition to ZnO NRs
We have demonstrated a straightforward and effective method to synthesize Cu-doped ZnO NRs using a novel system of Cu3Si NBs pre-aligned laterally on a Si wafer
Summary
Optical properties of one dimensional (1D) zinc oxide nanowires and nanorods (ZnO NWs and NRs) have been extensively studied and optimized for photonic [1,2,3,4], optoelectronic [5,6,7,8,9,10,11], and biosensing applications [12,13,14]. Many studies have previously demonstrated that the incorporation of Cu into the ZnO lattice can significantly alter the structural, chemical, optical, and electrical properties of ZnO [15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28] These endeavors have been largely focused on thin film and powder structures of ZnO [15,16,17,18,19,20]. Cu doping of ZnO can produce highly nonlinear current–voltage characteristics used in varistors [19] and, together with Ga, Cu-incorporated ZnO thin films have been constructed as cathodoluminescent screens [20]
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