Temperature and concentration dependences of the photoluminescence of MEH-PPV polymer composite films with ZnO nanoparticles

The absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra of MEH-PPV: ZnO composite films have been investigated at different concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles and at different temperatures (in the case of PL). It has been shown that, at 297 K, with increasing concentration of ZnO nanoparticles in the composite, the intensity of the PL lines of MEH-PPV decreases, whereas the intensity of the PL lines of ZnO increases. At a relatively low concentration of ZnO nanoparticles, a decrease in the temperature leads to an increase in the intensity of PL lines associated with MEH-PPV and ZnO, whereas at higher concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles, the intensity of these lines decreases. This is accompanied by a slight shift in the maximum of the PL toward the infrared (IR) region and a narrowing of the PL line of MEH-PPV with a decrease in the temperature and with an increase in the ZnO concentration. The mechanism of energy transfer in composite systems consisting of a polymer and inorganic nanoparticles that can be responsible for the observed effects has been discussed.     

Field emission characteristics study for ZnO/Ag and ZnO/CNTs composites produced by DC electrophoresis

A simple controllable method is reported for the coating of ZnO nanowires with Ag nanoparticles and ZnO/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite. It has been achieved through DC electrophoresis AgNO₃ electrolyte and CNTs in the presence of isopropanol dispersion of ZnO nanowires. In the present work, the influence of Ag nanoparticles and CNTs on the field emission properties of the composite materials is studied. The results of this research demonstrate a remarkable enhancement of field emission current of ZnO nanowires in case of CNTs mixture and Ag nanoparticles coating.     

聚邻甲基丙烯酰胺基苯甲酸/纳米ZnO复合物的制备及其荧光性能研究

利用原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP)法对合成的新单体邻甲基丙烯酰胺基苯甲酸(o-MAABA)进行聚合,通过核磁验证得到符合预先设计的、结构明确的聚合物,聚合物分子量为7900;将纳米ZnO引入到该聚合物P(o-MAABA)中,得到聚合物/纳米ZnO粒子复合物.用红外光谱和差热分析方法对聚合物和复合物进行了表征,并采用透射电镜(TEM)观察了复合物粒子的形貌.红外光谱表明纳米ZnO确实被引入到聚合物链中,并且与聚合物中的某些官能团发生了一定的相互作用;差热分析表明P(o-MAABA)/纳米ZnO复合物的热稳定性较原来聚合物P(o-MAABA)有所提高;TEM观察表明复合物粒子基本为球状,表面较为光滑.P(o-MAABA)/纳米ZnO复合物表现出特殊的荧光性能,与聚合物相比荧光光谱发生红移,并且复合物溶解性较好,能成膜,可望在发光材料方面得到应用.     

Dielectric behaviour of emeraldine base polymer–ZnO nanocomposite film in the low to medium frequency

Emeraldine base (EB) polymer–ZnO nanoparticles composite films has been synthesized by solution casting technique on ITO-coated glass substrate and characterized by XRD, FTIR and TEM for their structure and morphology. Dielectric behaviour of these composite films has been investigated in the very low frequency region to medium frequency region (1 kHz–1 MHz). The dielectric constant of the composite with 30% nanoparticles is almost one-tenth of the pure EB. The dielectric value becomes constant in the frequency region greater than 400 kHz. The change in dielectric behaviour of the composite is explained on the basis of multilayered interface formed between the ZnO nanoparticles and emeraldine chains. Nanoparticles have high energy surface which is responsible for the decrease of free volume for the orientation of polymer chains consequently decrease in dielectric constant of the composite. TEM images shows about 10 nm ZnO particles embedded in the emeraldine matrix. From the XRD data it has been observed that the lattice parameters of ZnO have been modified due to the alignment of polymer chains along the basal planes of the nanoparticles. The shift of N=Q=N and N–B–N vibration bands to higher wave number in IR indicates that interaction between emeraldine chain and nanoparticles which provides stability to emeraldine matrix.     

Enhanced photoluminescence of ZnO-SiO2 nanocomposite particles and the analyses of structure and composition

Stable blue-green photoluminescent ZnO-SiO₂ nanocomposite particles exhibiting quantum efficiency as high as 34.8% under excitation at 360 nm were prepared using a spray-drying process from a feed solution that contained both luminescent ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by a sol-gel method and commercially-available SiO₂ nanoparticles. The effects of silica nanoparticle size and SiO₂-to-ZnO concentration ratio on the PL properties of the composite particles were investigated. The internal structure and chemical composition were investigated in detail using elemental mapping, which revealed that ZnO nanoparticles were well-dispersed within silica nanoparticle matrix. At a LiOH concentration of 0.23 M, the predicted ZnO crystallite diameter before and after spray drying was approximately constant at 3.3 and 3.6 nm, respectively. This result indicates that ZnO particle growth was inhibited and therefore the PL property of ZnO nanoparticles was stably preserved in the composite.     

Fabrication of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering‐active ZnO/Ag composite microspheres

We show in this paper how zinc oxide (ZnO)/silver (Ag) composite microspheres can be prepared by the reduction of Ag(NH₃)₂⁺ with the reducing agent formaldehyde in aqueous solution on the surface of ZnO microspheres. During the preparation, Sn²⁺ was absorbed on the surface of ZnO microspheres for sensitization and activation, and then Ag(NH₃)₂⁺ was reduced to Ag nanoparticles by the reducing agent to obtain ZnO/Ag composite microspheres. SEM and TEM images revealed silver nanoparticles with a diameter ranging from tens to 100 nm. X‐Ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and UV‐vis spectra were used to characterize the structure of the ZnO/Ag composite microspheres. The origin of the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering properties was traced to the surface of the ZnO/Ag composite microspheres. The enhancement factor was estimated in detail, and the enhancement mechanism for the SERS effect was also investigated. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CdS/ZnO纳米复合结构制备及荧光特性研究

为增强CdS纳米粒子的荧光强度,以及稳定性,研究了Cd,S不同质量比,有无稳定剂等条件下CdS纳米粒子的制备及荧光特性。在碱性条件下,利用水热法合成了CdS/ZnO的纳米复合结构,并对所有样品进行了XRD、荧光光谱和SEM表征。测试结果表明所制备的CdS纳米粒子和CdS/ZnO的纳米复合结构粒子成分单一且纯净;ZnO复合在CdS表面;在紫外光(328.5 nm)激发下,CdS/ZnO纳米复合结构的发射峰位于463 nm处,峰形窄而对称,CdS/ZnO纳米复合结构的荧光强度比CdS纳米粒子的荧光强度有显著增强,且CdS和ZnO物质量之比为1∶1条件下,荧光强度最高,其荧光效率比单一CdS纳米粒子高出11%。通过第一性原理计算结果表明,CdS能带结构中,Cd-4d,S-3p和Cd-5s能带分别由5条、3条和1条能级构成,对比不同轨道的分态密度强度,看出CdS的导带边主要由Cd-5s轨道贡献,而价带边主要由S-3p轨道贡献,能量在-7 eV附近的电子态主要由Cd-4d轨道贡献。而ZnO上价带主要由O-2p电子构成,靠近费米能级的价带区域则主要由Zn-3d电子贡献,在导带部分,主要来源于Zn-4s和O-2p电子。由于在两种材料的复合结构中Zn-3d电子的能级和S-3p电子的能级接近,存在着二型带阶结构使能带变窄,容易形成跃迁,减小电子-空穴的复合,从而促进复合结构荧光效率的提高。     

Safety Issue of Changed Nanotoxicity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in the Multicomponent System

When nanomaterials are exposed to complex systems, such as food, they may cause significant changes in physical and chemical properties and even toxicity. The toxicity evaluation of complex systems is urgent. Unfortunately, so far, there is no database established about the toxicity changes of nanoparticles in composite systems. In this paper, the changes and toxicity mechanism of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in a composite system are studied. The results show that the dissolution of zinc ions (Zn²⁺) in acidic systems (vitamin C, tartaric acid, or citric acid) increases the toxicity of ZnO NPs. However, the toxicity of ZnO NPs is reduced by the complexation effect with Zn²⁺ in phosphoric acid, phosphate, and glutathione systems. The influence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) on the toxicity of ZnO NPs depends on size and surface properties. In brief, the intracellular Zn²⁺ homeostasis level is the decisive factor in determining the toxicity change in complex systems. The results indicate that the toxicity changes are very different in combined systems, which may have potential food safety issues, especially for unstable nanoparticles.     

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes supported Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles and their optical property

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)/Cu-doped ZnO composite powders were prepared by co-precipitation method, and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, fluorescence spectrum, and ultraviolet spectrum. Experimental results show that the MWNTs can be modified by Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles with hexagonal wurtzite structure after annealed at 450?°C, and the nanoparticle size is about 15?nm. Two ultraviolet (UV) peaks and a green band centered at about 510?nm are observed in the fluorescence spectrum of MWNTs/Cu-doped ZnO composite powder annealed at 450?°C. Furthermore, MWNTs and Cu doping significantly improve the UV absorption ability of ZnO.     

表面等离子体增强氧化锌纳米带发光特性的研究

利用简单的化学气相沉积方法在低温下高产量地合成了ZnO纳米带, 并利用磁控溅射对样品进行表面修饰, 制备了Au-ZnO复合纳米带. 通过扫描电镜、透射电镜及微区拉曼等手段系统地研究了表面修饰对ZnO 纳米材料发光性能的影响.结果表明, 在ZnO纳米带上溅射Au纳米颗粒, 可有效增强其近带边发光并使可见发光强度发生淬灭, 从而增强ZnO纳米带的发光性能. ZnO纳米带发光增强因子η最大可达到85倍. 基于Au纳米颗粒的散射、吸收、Purcell增强因子, 以及Ostwald熟化理论, 又进一步探讨了Au-ZnO复合材料的发光机制. 采用表面等离子体耦合的方法可以有效地提高光电半导体器件的发光效率. 关键词： 表面等离体子 光致发光 氧化锌     

在有限空间内生成的晶格高度取向的ZnO纳米颗粒

应用固态反应的方法,在260和300 oC空气中分别热分解层状锌油酸固体得到氧化锌纳米颗粒/团簇．高分辨透射电子显微镜和选区电子衍射表明,这种团簇是带有各种缺陷的单晶．光致发光激发光谱表明这两个样品在272和366 nm有两个频段．前者可能是由于不到200个氧化锌分子组成的团簇从价带到导带的电子转移引起的．     

Preparation, characterization and surface morphology of novel optically active poly(ester-amide)/functionalized ZnO bionanocomposites via ultrasonication assisted process

Novel bionanocompoites (BNCs) were prepared using zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles which functionalized by γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH570) as a coupling agent. Poly(ester-amide) (PEA) based on tyrosine natural amino acid was synthesized and used as a polymer matrix. PEA/ZnO BNCs were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All the results confirmed that the surface of ZnO particle has sufficient compatibility with PEA through the link of the coupling agent between ZnO and polymer and also proved that the presence of ZnO nanoparticles appeared to be dispersed in nanosize in polymer composite matrix. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data indicated an enhancement of thermal stability of new BNC materials compared with the pure polymer.     

Oriented ZnO nanotubes arrays decorated with TiO2 nanoparticles for dye-sensitized solar cell applications

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on a novel composite photoanode of TiO₂ nanoparticles coating on electrodeposited ZnO nanotube arrays are fabricated and characterized. An efficiency of 3.94 % is achieved for the composite cell, increasing 86.7 % than 2.11 % of the ZnO nanotubes cell. The short-circuit current (J _sc) and open-circuit voltage (V _oc) are also enhancing 52.9 % and 25.3 %, respectively. The improvements are because of the high surface area of TiO₂ nanoparticles, as well as fast electron transport and light scattering effect of ZnO nanotubes.     

Switching and memory effects governed by the hopping mechanism of charge carrier transfer in composite films based on conducting polymers and inorganic nanoparticles

The switching and memory effects in composite films based on conducting polymers [poly(phenylenevinylene), thiophene, and carbazole derivatives] and inorganic nanoparticles (ZnO, Si) are investigated. It is established that the introduction of inorganic nanoparticles (ZnO, Si) exhibiting strong acceptor properties into polymer materials leads to the appearance of memory effects, which manifest themselves in the transition of the polymer from a low-conductivity state to a high-conductivity state. For a number of composites, this transition is accompanied by the formation of a region with a negative differential resistance and a hysteresis in the current-voltage characteristics. It is demonstrated that the observed effects are determined by the mechanism of charge carrier transfer in the composite. In particular, the main mechanism of transport in films based on thiophene derivatives is associated with electrical conduction due to the tunneling of charge carriers between conducting regions embedded in a nonconducting matrix, whereas the dominant mechanism of transport in “polymer-semiconductor nanoparticle” composite films is hopping conduction, which is responsible for the effects observed in these objects.     

Investigation on a novel ZnO/TiO2–B photocatalyst with enhanced visible photocatalytic activity

A new type of composite photocatalysts (ZnO/TiO₂–B) with Zinc oxide nanoparticles dispersed on boron doped titanium dioxide was prepared via a sol–gel method. The as-prepared powders were characterized by HRTEM, XRD, XPS, UV–vis DRS, and PL techniques. The results reveal that B³⁺ ions are doped into the TiO₂ lattice in interstitial mode, while ZnO nanoparticles are dispersed on the surface of TiO₂. The absorption of photocatalysts was extended into visible light region and the photogenerated electrons and holes were separated efficiently. Hence, ZnO/TiO₂–B composite photocatalyst exhibits much better photocatalytic activity than those of pure TiO₂ and TiO₂–B on photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol under visible light irradiation.     

Green Synthesis,Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity of Metal Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites Using Leaves Extract of Prunus persica L.

Journal of Applied Spectroscopy - The ZnO, MgO, NiO, and AlO nanoparticles and Zn–Al and Mg–Ni composite oxides were synthesized by the green method from the Prunus persica leaves...     

液相激光烧蚀合成ZnO及Zn/ZnO纳米颗粒及其光致发光性能

利用532 nm脉冲激光对沉浸在去离子水及十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)水溶液中的金属锌靶进行液相激光烧蚀,合成了ZnO纳米颗粒和Zn/ZnO核壳结构的纳米粒子. 应用X射线衍射仪,透射电子显微镜,紫外可见光分光光度计和荧光光度计表征产物的微观结构和光学性能,并探讨其形成机理. 结果表明:在去离子水中分别烧蚀2 h和4 h生成的ZnO纳米粒子的平均粒径分别为43 nm和19 nm. 激光的长时间作用可以使纳米粒子粒径减小. 在0.005 mol/L的SDS水溶液中合成了Zn/ZnO核壳结构的纳米粒子,这是由于S 关键词： 脉冲激光烧蚀 ZnO纳米粒子 核壳结构 光致发光     

Structural,morphological, optical and antibacterial activity of rod-shaped zinc oxide and manganese-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles

Pure ZnO and Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by Co-precipitate method. The structural characterizations of the nanoparticles were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. UV–Vis, FTIR and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy were used for analysing the optical properties of the nanoparticles. XRD results revealed the formation of ZnO and Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles with wurtzite crystal structure having average crystalline size of 39 and 20 nm. From UV–Vis studies, the optical band-gap energy of 3.20 and 3.25 eV was obtained for ZnO and Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles, respectively. FTIR spectra confirm the presence of ZnO and Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Photoluminescence analysis of all samples showed four main emission bands: a strong UV emission band, a weak blue band, a weak blue–green band and a weak green band indicating their high structural and optical qualities. The antibacterial efficiency of ZnO and Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles were studied using disc diffusion method. The Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles show better antibacterial activity when higher doping level is 10 at% and has longer duration of time.     

High-frequency properties of oil-phase-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles

Monodispersive ZnO nanoparticles each with a hexagonal wurtzite structure are facilely prepared by the hightemperature organic phase method.The UV-visible absorption peak of ZnO nanoparticles presents an obvious blue-shift from 385 nm of bulk ZnO to 369 nm.Both the real part and the image part of the complex permittivity of ZnO nanoparticles from 0.1 GHz to 10 GHz linearly decrease without obvious resonance peak appearing.The real parts of intrinsic permittivity of ZnO nanoparticles are about 5.7 and 5.0 at 0.1 GHz and 10 GHz respectively,and show an obvious size-dependent behavior.The dielectric loss angle tangent(tan 5) of ZnO nanoparticles with a different weight ratio shows a different decreasing law with the increase of frequency.     

Effect of ethanolamine passivation of ZnO nanoparticles in quantum dot light emitting diode structure

The aging of ZnO nanoparticles in quantum dot light-emitting diode (QD-LED) structures was studied. Coarsening of as-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles is observed in both solution and thin film structures, which potentially deteriorates the performance of QD-LED devices over time. First, the temperature effect on ZnO coarsening was investigated, and it was revealed that aging of ZnO nanoparticles is faster at higher temperature due to a diffusion-controlled mechanism of nanoparticle coarsening. To observe aggregation of ZnO in the film state, the electron transporting part (ZnO/Al) of the QD-LED structure was prepared. The current density of a ZnO film and an electron-only device (QD/ZnO between two electrodes) was also measured. Resistance of the film increased as a function of aging time, which corresponded with observations of the ZnO film by optical microscopy. Aggregation of ZnO nanoparticles was directly measured by the root-mean-square value using atomic force microscopy. Ethanolamine (EA) stabilizer was added to the ZnO solution to disperse the ZnO nanoparticles without aggregation. The effect of EA on the surface passivation of the ZnO found to suppress pinhole formation, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy observations. Finally, the device lifetime was measured for QD-LEDs with EA-stabilized ZnO to understand the effect of ZnO aging on long-term QD-LED device operation.