Synthesis, photoluminescence and growth mechanism of ZnO nanorods via RTIL-assisted solid-state reaction

Abstract

Well-defined ZnO nanorods were fabricated via facile solid-state reaction between zinc chloride and sodium hydroxide in the presence of room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) [Emim]+BF4− at a relatively low temperature. The structure and morphology of the synthetic ZnO products were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The effect of RTILs on the size and morphology of the as-prepared ZnO samples was studied, and the experimental results showed that RTILs in the reaction system play an important role in the synthesis of ZnO nanorods. The photoluminescence spectrum of the synthetic ZnO nanorods exhibited a strong ultraviolet emission at 376nm and a weak green emission at 536nm at room temperature. A plausible formation mechanism of ZnO nanorods was discussed in detail.