Effect of different seed solutions on the morphology and electrooptical properties of ZnO Nanorods

• Main Authors: Ali, M.E (Author), Hashim, U. (Author), Ibupoto, Z.H (Author), Kashif, M. (Author), Rusop, M. (Author), Usman Ali, S.M (Author), Willander, M. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2-Methoxyethanol; Electrooptical properties; Forward bias; Hydrothermal growth; Methanol; Monoethanolamine; Morphology; Nanorods; Potassium hydroxide; Raman studies; Scanning electron microscopy; Seed layer; Seed solution; Silicon substrates; X ray diffraction; Zinc acetate dihydrate; Zinc compounds; Zinc oxide; ZnO nanorod
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher; View in Scopus

 The morphology and electrooptical properties of ZnO nanorods synthesized on monoethanolamine-based seed layer and KOHbased seed layer were compared. The seed solutions were prepared in monoethanolamine in 2-methoxyethanol and potassium hydroxide in methanol, respectively. Zinc acetate dihydrate was as a common precursor in both solutions. The nanorod-ZnOs were synthesized via the spin coating of two different seed solutions on silicon substrates followed by their hydrothermal growth. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), and Raman studies revealed that the ZnO nanorods obtained from monoethanolamine-based seed layer had fewer defects, better crystals, and better alignment than those realized via KOH-based seed layer. However, the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics demonstrated better conductivity of the ZnO nanorods obtained via KOH-based seed layer. The current measured in forward bias was 4 mA and 40 f/A for ZnOnanorods grown on KOH-based seed layer and monoethanolamine-based with the turn on voltage of approximately 1.5 V and 2.5 V, respectively, showing the feasibility of using both structures in optoelectric devices. Copyright © 2012 M. Kashif et al.