Abstract
Highly uniform and c-axis-aligned ZnO nanorod arrays were fabricated in predefined patterns by a low temperature homoepitaxial aqueous chemical method. The nucleation seed patterns were realized in polymer and in metal thin films, resulting in, all-ZnO and bottom-contacted structures, respectively. Both of them show excellent geometrical uniformity: the cross-sectional uniformity according to the scanning electron micrographs across the array is lower than 2%. The diameter of the hexagonal prism-shaped nanorods can be set in the range of 90-170 nm while their typical length achievable is 0.5-2.3 μm. The effect of the surface polarity was also examined, however, no significant difference was found between the arrays grown on Zn-terminated and on O-terminated face of the ZnO single crystal. The transmission electron microscopy observation revealed the single crystalline nature of the nanorods. The current-voltage characteristics taken on an individual nanorod contacted by a Au-coated atomic force microscope tip reflected Schottky-type behavior. The geometrical uniformity, the designable pattern, and the electrical properties make the presented nanorod arrays ideal candidates to be used in ZnO-based DC nanogenerator and in next-generation integrated piezoelectric nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS).
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 699-704 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Nanoscale Research Letters |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2009 Jul |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Aqueous chemical growth
- NEMS
- Nanogenerator
- Piezoelectricity
- Rod-type photonic crystal
- Vertical nanowire
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Science(all)
- Condensed Matter Physics