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Nanocrystalline ZnO obtained from pyrolytic decomposition of layered basic zinc acetate: Introducing a novel rapid microwave-assisted hydrothermal technique. / Afshin Tarat

Swansea University Author: Afshin Tarat

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) crystal with a direct wide band gap (3.37 eV) and large excition binding energy (60 meV) is one of the most potential semiconductors in numerous application fields such as room-temperature UV-Iaser, light-emitting- diode (LED), photocatalyst, gas sensor, solar cell, piezoelectric de...

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Published: 2014
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Doctoral
Degree name: Ph.D
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa42303
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Abstract: Zinc oxide (ZnO) crystal with a direct wide band gap (3.37 eV) and large excition binding energy (60 meV) is one of the most potential semiconductors in numerous application fields such as room-temperature UV-Iaser, light-emitting- diode (LED), photocatalyst, gas sensor, solar cell, piezoelectric device, etc. In past decades, different methods have been investigated to produce a variety of different shapes of nano and submicron ZnO nanostructures. Among them, the ZnO nanobelts (NBs) with a rectangular cross section have unique optoelectronic properties due to its unusual shape and structure. It is well demonstrated by recent success in field-effect transistor, nanoresonator, and spintronics applications of the ZnO NBs. Two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures such as nanosheets (NSs) and thin films have also great potential for unique purposes where a large uniform coverage at nanoscale is essential. One of the conventional methods for synthesis of the ZnO nanostructures is vapour transport and condensation process at high temperature, in some cases up to 1400°C. Such an extreme condition for vaporization of precursor could induce many oxygen defects on surface of the ZnO nanobelts. These specific defects hinder progress to the applications of ZnO in optoelectronic and lasing devices. In this respect, mild processing is strongly demanded for the synthesis of the ZnO nanoparticles. In terms of low energy consumption and simplicity, soft- solution process based on hydrothermal reactions at low temperature (under 100°C) is a green chemical procedure. However, there are only few reports on the synthesis of the ZnO NBs and NSs due to their unusual growth habit against typical growth rate of the ZnO crystal. Here we are reporting a developed simple, low cost and high yield hydrothermal technique to synthesis layered basic zinc acetate (LBZA) NBs and also a novel rapid microwave-assisted hydrothermal technique to grow LBZA NSs only in 2 minutes. Growth procedures are followed by pyrolytic decomposition to produce nanocrystalline NBs and NSs. SEM and AFM results revealed that the morphology and quantity of the nanobelts and nanosheets are strongly temperature and pH dependent. In addition, results showed that as-grown LBZA nanostructures could be easily transformed to corresponding ZnO nanostructures through pyrolytic decomposition without.
Keywords: Materials science.;Nanotechnology.
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering

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