ZnO Nanotree Research Articles

Synthesis of PbS:ZnO nanotrees by thermal evaporation: morphological, structural and optical properties

Nanotrees ZnO films are synthesized by thermal evaporation method on silicon and glass substrates. PbS powder (5 wt%) is used to obtain the nanostructure and growth modifications. ZnO films are compared with non-doped ones (ZnO film was dense structure without nanotrees). The deposited PbS:ZnO films exhibit polycrystalline orientation using X-ray diffraction (XRD), but the films without doping was less crystalline quality. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the morphology. SEM images (surface and cross section) was confirmed the nanotrees form for doped ZnO film. Energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDX) was used to verify the composition of prepared films. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), photoluminescence (PL) and micro Raman techniques were used to investigate the optical properties. The PL spectra intensities were found to increase for PbS:ZnO nanotrees. Up to our knowledge, no work has been published regarding the obtained ZnO nanotrees using PbS as dopant via simple thermal evaporation method.

Growth of 3D branched ZnO nanowire for DC-type piezoelectric nanogenerators

In this paper, we have demonstrated 3D branched ZnO nanotrees (ZNTs) on flexible ITO–PET substrates by a facile two-step hydrothermal approach. The characterization of the as-grown ZNTs was studied by using SEM and XRD. Furthermore, self-powered piezoelectric nanogenerators (NGs) based on these ZNTs were fabricated. It is proved that the ZNT structures could significantly enhance the output current to ~300 nA, much higher than that of the previously reported NWs-based NGs, and their application toward energy harvesting devices is promising for the miniaturization of a power package and wearable devices.

Photoelectrochemical water splitting strongly enhanced in fast-grown ZnO nanotree and nanocluster structures.

We demonstrate selective growth of ZnO branched nanostructures: from nanorod clusters (with branches parallel to parent rods) to nanotrees (with branches perpendicular to parent rods). The growth of these structures was realized using a three-step approach: electrodeposition of nanorods (NRs), followed by the sputtering of ZnO seed layers, followed by the growth of branched arms using hydrothermal growth. The density, size and direction of the branches were tailored by tuning the deposition parameters. To our knowledge, this is the first report of control of branch direction. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of the ZnO nanostructures follows the order: nanotrees (NTs) > nanorod clusters (NCs) > parent NRs. The NT structure with the best PEC performance also possesses the shortest fabrication period which had never been reported before. The photocurrent of the NT and NC photoelectrodes is 0.67 and 0.56 mA cm-2 at 1 V vs. Ag/AgCl, respectively, an enhancement of 139% and 100% when compared to the ZnO NR structures. The key reason for the improved performance is shown to be the very large surface-to-volume ratios in the branched nanostructures, which gives rise to enhanced light absorption, improved charge transfer across the nanostructure/electrolyte interfaces to the electrolyte and efficient charge transport within the material.

ZnO nano-tree active layer as heavy hydrocarbon sensor: From material synthesis to electrical and gas sensing properties

ZnO with dense, porous, nano-wire and nano-tree morphologies was successfully synthesized via reactive magnetron sputtering at high pressure (10Pa) and with different deposition temperatures (RT→1273K). The morphological properties of prepared ZnO coatings were revealed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed to determine crystalline structure of the films in relation with their deposition temperature. Hall effect measurements were used to investigate the electrical resistivity, free carrier concentration and mobility in the coatings as a function of their morphology in a temperature range from 293K to 473K. Finally, C12H26 dodecane gas sensing properties of ZnO nano-trees were investigated at different temperatures (from 323K to 566K) and the results were discussed depending on dodecane concentration. A remarkable response of 39% was observed at 415K for a low concentration of dodecane in air [1ppm(v)]. High response to low concentrations of C12H26 as well as good chemical stability of ZnO nano-trees make this kind of structure a potential candidate as sensing layer for practical sensor applications.

Synthesis of Various ZnO Nanotree Morphologies through PEG-Assisted Co-Precipitation Method

ZnO, with direct wide band gap of 3.37 eV and high excitonic binding energy of 60 meV has been attracting much attention due to its wide range of applications, for transparent electronics, solar cells, and other optoelectronics device. We present a simple, single step process to produce ZnO nanotrees using co-precipitation method. As a precursor, zinc nitrate dehydrate was stabilized by hexamethylene tetraamine (HMTA) and 3-9 mM polyethylene glycol (PEG) was added at 180°C for 3-6 hours followed by residual polymer removal. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed the typical rod-like branched nanostructures were achieved. For longer annealing time the PEG-assisted growth process indeed exhibited a distinctive c-direction inhibition responsible for the lateral growth and subsequent branching of ZnO, in which the branch growth in sample with PEG amount of 0.05 g is the slowest. Some amounts of PEG up to 0.03 g are sensitive to affect several parameters, such as, lattice stress, unit cell volume, density of film and dislocation density.

Branched ZnO nanotrees on flexible fiber-paper substrates for self-powered energy-harvesting systems

Branched ZnO nanotrees have been successfully synthesized on flexible fiber-paper substrates for realizing high-performance piezoelectric nanogenerators. And the output voltage of the NG increased to 0.1 V, enough to power some micro/nano devices.

Improved dye-sensitized solar cell with a ZnO nanotree photoanode by hydrothermal method.

This study investigated the influence of ZnO nanostructures on dye adsorption to increase the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of solar cells. ZnO nanostructures were grown in both tree-like and nanorod (NR) arrays on an AZO/FTO film structure by using a hydrothermal method. The results were observed in detail using X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), UV-visible spectrophotometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and solar simulation. The selective growth of tree-like ZnO was found to exhibit higher dye adsorption loading and conversion efficiency than ZnO NRs. The multiple ‘branches’ of ‘tree-like nanostructures’ increases the surface area for higher light harvesting and dye loading while reducing charge recombination. These improvements result in a 15% enhancement in power conversion. The objective of this study is to facilitate the development of a ZnO-based dye-sensitized solar cell.

Enhanced broadband and omnidirectional performance of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells with ZnO functional nanotree arrays

An effective approach is demonstrated for enhancing photoelectric conversion of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells with three-dimensional ZnO nanotree arrays. Under a simulated one-sun condition, cells with ZnO nanotree arrays enhance the short-circuit current density by 10.62%. The omnidirectional anti-reflection of CIGS solar cells with various ZnO nanostructures is also investigated. The solar-spectrum weighted reflectance is approximately less than 5% for incident angles of up to 60° and for the wavelengths primarily from 400 nm to 1000 nm. This enhancement in light harvesting is attributable to the gradual refractive index profile between the ZnO nanostructures and air.

Hierarchical weeping willow nano-tree growth and effect of branching on dye-sensitized solar cell efficiency

In this paper we have demonstrated the simple, low cost, low temperature, hydrothermal growth of weeping willow ZnO nano-trees with very long branches to realize high efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We also discuss the effects of branching on solar cell efficiency. By introducing branched growth on the backbone ZnO nanowires (NWs), the short circuit current density and the overall light conversion efficiency of the branched ZnO NW DSSCs increased to almost four times that for vertically grown ZnO NWs. The efficiency increase is attributed to the increase in surface area for higher dye loading and light harvesting and also to reduced charge recombination through direct conduction along the crystalline ZnO branches. As the length of the branches increased, the branches became flaccid and the increase in solar cell efficiency slowed down because the effective surface area increase was hindered by branch bundling during the drying process and subsequent decrease in the dye loading.

Complex ZnO nanotree arrays with tunable top, stem and branch structures

Hierarchical tree-, mushroom- and cockscomb-like ZnO arrays with increasing branching order and complexities have been grown in situ on cheap zinc plates by a simple hydrothermal oxidation approach. Their morphology, crystal structure and orientation relationship are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cross-sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The wurtzite ZnO arrays, growing mainly in the [0001] direction, show a special orientation relationship between the stem and the branch as well as a novel stem-branch boundary which might be attributed to the least mismatch between [symbol: see text] and (0002) lattice planes. The co-solvent ethylenediamine (en) was used to control the morphology and complexing of these complex ZnO nanostructures. Correspondingly, the physical properties of ZnO nanostructure assembly arrays were tuned and a stronger UV emission was observed with negligible emissions in the visible range, indicating the highly crystalline features of the complex ZnO micro-/nanostructured materials.

Microwave absorption properties and the isotropic antenna mechanism of ZnO nanotrees

In this paper, ZnO nanowires and ZnO nanotrees have been prepared and their microwave absorption properties have been investigated in detail. Complex permittivity and permeability of the ZnO nanostructures and paraffin composites have been measured in a frequency of 0.1–18 GHz. Excellent microwave absorption performances have been observed in ZnO nanotree composite compared to ZnO nanowire composite, and the maximum absorption is enhanced as the concentration of the nanotrees increases in the composite. The value of minimum reflection loss for the composites with 60 vol % ZnO nanotrees is −58 dB at 4.2 GHz with a thickness of 4.0 mm. Such strong absorption is attributed to the unique isotropic antenna morphology of the ZnO nanotrees in the composite.

ZnO Pine-Nanotree Arrays Grown from Facile Metal Chemical Corrosion and Oxidation

ZnO nanotree arrays were successfully grown in large scale using a one-step facile method. Their branches and trunks display a special orientation relationship and the new interface structure is revealed. They exhibit significantly enhanced photocatalysis when compared to P25 and nonbranched micro/nanorods.

One-dimensional and quasi-one-dimensional ZnO nanostructures prepared by spray-pyrolysis-assisted thermal evaporation

One-dimensional (1D) and quasi-1D ZnO nanostructures have been fabricated by a kind of new spray-pyrolysis-assisted thermal evaporation method. Pure ZnO powder serves as an evaporation source. Thus-obtained products have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscope (TEM). The room temperature photoluminescence spectrum of these ZnO nanostructures is presented. The results show that as-grown ZnO nanomaterials have a hexagonal wurtzite crystalline structure. Besides nanosaws, nanobelts and nanowires, complex ZnO nanotrees have also been observed in synthesized products. The study provides a new simple route to construct 1D and quasi-1D ZnO nanomaterials, which can probably be extended to fabricate other oxide nanomaterials with high melting point and doped oxide nanomaterials.