Bio-inspired catechol chemistry for electrophoretic nanotechnology of oxide films

The stabilization of defects in ZnO at high temperatures has been investigated. The properties of unmodified and modified ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with 2 at.% of Ag prepared by microwave assisted combustion method, have been systematically studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and photocatalytic activity measurements. Though the XRD data shows a marginal shift in the ZnO peak position upon Ag addition, the amount of shift does not change with annealing temperatures. The PL data reveals that the defect mediated visible emission intensity of unmodified ZnO NPs increases with increase in the annealing temperature, whereas it remains almost unchanged in Ag-ZnO. This study clearly establishes that silver is an efficient stabilizer of intrinsic defects in ZnO at high temperatures. This is further supported by the core and valence band XPS spectra.     

退火温度对PLD法制备ZnO:Eu3+,Li+薄膜结构和发光性质的影响

采用脉冲激光沉积(PLD)法在Si(111)衬底上制备了Eu3+,Li+共掺杂的ZnO薄膜,分别在450,500,550和600℃条件下进行退火,退火气氛为真空。利用X射线衍射(XRD)仪和荧光分光光度计研究了退火温度对薄膜结构和光致发光(PL)的影响。研究结果表明,Eu3+,Li+共掺杂的ZnO薄膜具有c轴择优取向,Eu3+,Li+没有单独形成结晶的氧化物,均以离子形式掺入ZnO晶格中。PL谱中有较宽的ZnO基质缺陷发光,ZnO基质与稀土Eu3+之间存在能量传递,但没有有效的能量传递。随着退火温度的增加,薄膜发光先增强后减弱,退火温度为550℃时发光最强。当用395 nm的激发光激发样品时,仅观察到稀土Eu3+在594 nm附近的特征发光峰,但发光强度随退火温度变化不明显。     

Effects of thermal annealing on the structural and optical properties of Mg(x)Zn(1-x)O nanocrystals

Mg(x)Zn(1-x)O ternary alloy nanocrystals with hexagonal wurtzite structures were fabricated by using the sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction patterns, UV-vis absorption spectra, and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize the structural and optical properties of the nanocrystals. For as-prepared nanocrystals, the band gap increases with increasing Mg content. Weak excitonic emission with strong deep-level emission related to oxygen vacancy and interface defects is observed in the photoluminescence spectra at room temperature. Thermal annealing in oxygen was used to decrease the number of defects and to improve the quality of the nanocrystals. In terms of XRD results, the grain sizes of nanocrystals increase with increasing annealing temperature and the lattice constants of alloy are smaller than those of pure ZnO. The band gap becomes narrower with increasing annealing temperature. For Mg(x)Zn(1-x)O nanocrystals (x=0.03-0.15) annealed at temperatures ranging from 500 to 1000 degrees C, intense near-band-edge (NBE) emissions and weak deep-level (DL) emissions are observed. Consequently, the quality of Mg(x)Zn(1-x)O nanocrystals can be improved by thermal annealing.     

Effect of annealing on photoluminescence of blue-emitting ZnO nanoparticles by sol–gel method

In this work, we investigated the influence of annealing on the crystallinity, microstructures, and photoluminescence (PL) properties of ZnO nanoparticles prepared by sol–gel method. The annealing was carried out both in air and vacuum. X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy were used to characterize the crystal structures, diameter, surface morphology, and PL properties of ZnO nanoparticles. It has been found that both the as-grown and annealed ZnO nanoparticles had a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure, and their average diameter and crystallinity increased with the anneal time and temperature. Pure blue-emitting behavior was observed in all samples. The emission intensity of ZnO nanoparticles was found to be enhanced after annealing, but it was highly dependent on the annealing conditions. Optimal annealing conditions both in air and vacuum were obtained for achieving maximum emission intensity in the ZnO nanoparticles. The dependence of PL properties of the ZnO nanoparticles on the annealing conditions was discussed.     

Surface-plasmon-enhanced band emission of ZnO nanoflowers decorated with Au nanoparticles

A simple strategy was used to enhance band emission through the transfer of defect emission from ZnO to Au by using the energy match between the defect emission of ZnO and the surface plasmon absorbance of Au NPs through decorating the surface of ZnO nanoflowers with Au nanoparticles (Au NPs). The ZnO nanostructure, which was comprised of six nanorods that were attached on one side in a flower-like fashion, was synthesized by using a hydrothermal method. The temperature-dependent morphology and detailed growth mechanism were studied. The influence of the density of the Au NPs that were deposited onto the surface of ZnO on photoluminescence was investigated to optimize the configuration of the ZnO/Au system in terms of the maximum band emission. The sequential transfer of defect energy from ZnO to Au and electron transfer from excited Au to ZnO was proposed as a possible mechanism for the enhanced band emission.     

Surface‐Plasmon‐Enhanced Band Emission of ZnO Nanoflowers Decorated with Au Nanoparticles

A simple strategy was used to enhance band emission through the transfer of defect emission from ZnO to Au by using the energy match between the defect emission of ZnO and the surface plasmon absorbance of Au NPs through decorating the surface of ZnO nanoflowers with Au nanoparticles (Au NPs). The ZnO nanostructure, which was comprised of six nanorods that were attached on one side in a flower‐like fashion, was synthesized by using a hydrothermal method. The temperature‐dependent morphology and detailed growth mechanism were studied. The influence of the density of the Au NPs that were deposited onto the surface of ZnO on photoluminescence was investigated to optimize the configuration of the ZnO/Au system in terms of the maximum band emission. The sequential transfer of defect energy from ZnO to Au and electron transfer from excited Au to ZnO was proposed as a possible mechanism for the enhanced band emission.     

甘氨酸燃烧法合成纳米ZnO-MgO及其紫外光发射

ZnO-MgO nanocomposite was prepared by glycine nitrate combustion method.Its photoluminescence property, the structure and annealing temperature dependence was studied by XRD, FTIR and SEM. The results show that the photoluminescence property of ZnO-MgO nanocomposite is greatly improved compared with that of pure ZnO. Under 325 nm laser excitation, the emission spectra of the 900 ℃ treated composite sample had an obviously enhanced ultraviolet (UV) band centered at 385 nm at room temperature. The luminescence intensity of the UV band became stronger with the increase of annealing temperatures and reached a maximum at 900 ℃ but decreased at 1000 ℃. The photoluminescence intensity was mainly affected by the grain size, the crystallization and the action between ZnO and MgO nanoparticles. In addition, an appropriate G/N value was favorable for improving the UV-PL properties of the nanocomposite samples.     

ZnO nanopowders and their excellent solar light/UV photocatalytic activity on degradation of dye in wastewater

Low-cost and scalable preparation,high photocatalytic activity,and convenient recycle of Zn O nanopowders(NPs)would determine their practical application in purifying wastewater.In this contribution,ZnO NPs were scalably synthesized via the simple reaction of Zn powder with H_2O vapor in autoclave.The structural,morphological and optical properties of the samples were systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,Fourier transform infrared spectra,transmission electron microscopy,Micro-Raman,photoluminescence,and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy.The as-prepared Zn O NPs are composed of nanoparticles with 100–150 nm in diameter,and have a small Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 6.85 m~2/g.The formation of Zn O nanoparticles is relative to the peeling of H_2 release.Furthermore,the product has big strain-stress leading to the red-shift in the band gap of product,and shows a strong green emission centered at 515 nm revealing enough atomic defects in Zn O NPs.As a comparison with P25,the obtained dust gray Zn O NPs have a strong absorbance in the region of 200–700 nm,suggesting the wide wave-band utilization in sunlight.Based on the traits above,the Zn O NPs show excellent photocatalytic activity on the degradation of rhodamine B(Rh-B)under solar light irradiation,close to that under UV irradiation.Importantly,the Zn O NPs could be well recycled in water due to the quick sedimentation in themselves in solution.The low-cost and scalable preparation,high photocatalytic activity,and convenient recycle of Zn O NPs endow themselves with promising application in purifying wastewater.     

Tunable photoluminescent and cathodoluminescent properties of ZnO and ZnO:Zn phosphors

ZnO and ZnO:Zn powder phosphors were prepared by the polyol-method followed by annealing in air and reducing gas, respectively. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra, respectively. The results indicate that all samples are in agreement with the hexagonal structure of the ZnO phase and the particle sizes are in the range of 1-2 microm. The PL and CL spectra of ZnO powders annealed at 950 degrees C in air consist of a weak ultraviolet emission band (approximately 390 nm) and a broad emission band centered at about 527 nm, exhibiting yellow emission color to the naked eyes. When the sample was reduced at the temperatures from 500 to 1050 degrees C, the yellow emission decreased gradually and disappeared completely at 800 degrees C, whereas the ultraviolet emission band became the strongest. Above this temperature, the green emission ( approximately 500 nm) appeared and increased with increasing of reducing temperatures. According to the EPR results and spectral analysis, the yellow and green emissions may arise from the transitions of photogenerated electron close to the conduction band to the deeply trapped hole in the single negatively charged interstitial oxygen ion (Oi(-)) and the single ionized oxygen vacancy (V.O) centers, respectively.     

Photophysical Characteristics of Multicolor Emitting MDMO-PPV–DMP/ZnO Hybrid Nanocomposites

The tuning of photophysical properties of the poly[2-methoxy-5-(3,7-dimethyl-octyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene]—end capped with dimethylphenyl (DMP), MDMO-PPV–DMP, was achieved by incorporation of ZnO NPs with various contents. Hybrid nanocomposites of MDMO-PPV–DMP with ZnO NPs were prepared by solution blending method and then deposited onto glass substrates. The structural properties of the hybrid nanocomposites samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, FTIR, and FE-SEM, while their optical properties were extracted from the absorption and photoluminescence spectra. The energy band gap, energy tail, steepness parameter, and CIE chromatic coordinates were tuned by increase the content of ZnO NPs into the polymer matrix. The ZnO NPs incorporation assists the emission wavelength shift and multicolor emitting from the hybrid nanocomposites.     

ZnO纳米棒薄膜的湿化学法制备及光致发光特性

在80 ℃水浴下, 采用简易的湿化学法在不导电玻璃基底上制备了ZnO纳米棒阵列, 利用X射线衍射仪(XRD)和场发射扫描电镜(FE-SEM)对样品的结构形貌进行了表征. 结果表明, 晶化30 min所得产物为六方纤锌矿相的ZnO纳米棒, 直径大约为80~90 nm. 为了分析不同的低温退火温度和退火气氛对其光致发光性能的影响, 研究了ZnO纳米棒薄膜在不同的后处理条件下的光致发光谱(PL). 实验结果表明, 在O₂气氛下于450 ℃退火1 h后, ZnO纳米棒薄膜的红光发射(约650 nm)强度相对在空气和5%H₂/95%N₂气氛下退火的样品变得更强, 而且该样品的激发波长范围(200~370 nm)与近紫外发光二极管(LEDs)的发射波长范围(350~420 nm)匹配得很好.     

Luminescence and photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanocrystals: correlation between structure and property

Low-dimensional ZnO nanocrystals with controlled size, aspect ratio, and oxygen defects (e.g., type and concentration) are successfully prepared through simple solvothermal and thermal treatment methods. The structure of the as-synthesized samples is characterized by XRD, N2 physical adsorption, TEM, and IR and XPS spectra. The results show that the aspect ratio and size of the as-synthesized ZnO nanocrystals increase with increasing [OH-]/[Zn2+]; the morphology evolves from nanorod to nanoparticle with an increase in the annealing temperature; the BET surface areas of the corresponding samples decrease during these processes, respectively; and different oxygen defects, which are likely to be oxygen vacancy (Vo**) and interstitial oxygen (Oi'), are formed in our experiments accordingly. With evolution of the structure, IR absorption bands and visible photoluminescence emission peaks of the synthesized ZnO nanocrystals shift and split, which is ascribed to the change of oxygen defects. In addition, it is found that the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized ZnO nanocrystals is mainly dependent on the type and concentration of oxygen defects. The relationship of structure-property and the possible photocatalytic mechanism are discussed in detail.     

Li doped and undoped ZnO nanocrystalline thin films: a comparative study of structural and optical properties

Thin films of ZnO were grown by the sol–gel method using spin-coating technique on (0001) sapphire substrates. The effect of doping after annealing on the structural and optical properties has been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), cathodoluminescence (CL) spectrum, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The films that were dried at 623 K and then post annealed at 873 K showed (0002) as the predominant orientation. Two emission bands have been observed from CL spectrum. Lithium doped film shows shift in the near band edge UltraViolet emission peak and suppressed defect level emission peak in the visible range. SEM analysis of the films exhibits many spherical shaped nanoparticles. Roughness of the films determined using atomic force microscopy.      

Ordered dispersion of ZnO quantum dots in SiO2 matrix and its strong emission properties

ZnO nanoparticles in the form of quantum dots (QDs) have been dispersed in SiO₂ matrix using StÖber method to form ZnO QDs-SiO₂ nanocomposites. Addition of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to an ethanolic solution of ZnO nanoparticles produces random dispersion. On the other hand, addition of ZnO nanoparticles to an already hydrolyzed ethanolic TEOS solution results in a chain-like ordered dispersion. The photoluminescence spectra of the as-grown nanocomposites show strong emission in the ultraviolet region. When annealed at higher temperature, depending on the sample type, these show strong red or white emission. Interestingly, when the excitation is removed, the orderly dispersed ZnO QDs-SiO₂ composite shows a very bright blue fluorescence visible by naked eyes for few seconds indicating their promise for display applications. The emission property has been explained in the light of structure–property relationship.     

Optical and structural characteristics of yttrium doped ZnO films using sol–gel technology

Yttrium-doped ZnO gel was spin-coated on the SiO₂/Si substrate. The as-prepared ZnO:Y (YZO) thin films then underwent a rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process conducted at various temperatures. The structural and photoluminescence characteristics of the YZO films were discussed thereafter. Our results indicated that the grain size of YZO thin films being treated with various annealing temperatures became smaller as compared to the ones without being doped with yttrium. Furthermore, unlike other ZnO films, the grains of YZO thin films appeared to separate from one another rather than aggregating together as both types of the films were annealed under the same environment. The photoluminescence characteristic measured showed that the UV emission was the only radiation obtained. However, the UV emission intensity of YZO thin film was much stronger than that of the ZnO thin film after annealing them with the same condition. It was also found that the intensity increased with an increase in the annealing temperature, which was caused by the exciton generated and the texture surface of the YZO thin film.     

Optical properties of sol-gel synthesized calcium doped ZnO nanostructures

Optical properties of Ca doped ZnO nanoparticles prepared at room temperature through wet chemical method have been investigated. X-ray diffraction studies show that particles are crystalline in nature and doping did not induce impurity phases. Optical absorption measurements show an absorption peak at ∼372 nm which is due to excitonic absorption of the ZnO. Photoluminescence studies reveal a broad emission at an excitation wavelength of 335 nm and the bands are attributed to near band edge emission, oxygen vacancies, surface dangling bonds and zinc interstitials. Incorporating Ca²⁺ induces reduction in near band edge emission and there is an enhancement in the oxygen vacancy peaks which are attributed to the shape changes in the nanoparticles.     

Preparation and properties of polymer/zinc oxide nanocomposites using functionalized zinc oxide quantum dots

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/zinc oxide (ZnO) or carbazole polymer (PCEM)/ZnO nanocomposites, which are composed of high molecular weight PMMA or PCEM with narrow molecular weight distributions and ZnO nanoparticles, were successfully prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiated by 2-bromo-2-methylpropionyl (BMP) group (ZnBM) introduced onto the ZnO nanoparticle surfaces. Introduction of the BMP group onto the ZnO surfaces was achieved by esterification of OH group of the ZnO surfaces. The chemically attached OH group-having ZnO nanoparticles (ZnHM) were fabricated by sol-gel reaction from zinc acetate dihydrate, followed by treatment of the ZnO nanoparticles with 2-hydroxypropionic acid (HPA). The ZnHM nanoparticles showed one UV absorption and two emission bands: UV emission peak and broad visible emission band, while the ZnBM exhibited broad UV absorption and no emission spectra. The PMMA/ZnO nanocomposites displayed UV absorption and photoluminescent (PL) band with blue emission on the basis of the ZnHM nanoparticles, where the ZnO nanoparticles dispersed homogeneously in the PMMA matrix. The PCEM/ZnO nanocomposites depicted UV emission peak due to the carbazole unit in the UV range, but no visible emission. Thermal properties of the PMMA/ZnO nanocomposites were improved by dispersion of the ZnO nanoparticles into the PMMA, but the PCEM/ZnO nanocomposites showed no improvement of the thermal properties.     

旋涂水溶液前驱体制备氧化锌薄膜及其性质

通过旋涂法, 采用Zn(OAc)2·2H2O和聚环氧乙烷(PEO)的水溶液为前驱体在不同的热处理温度下制备了ZnO薄膜. PEO的加入增加了溶液的成膜性, 其较低的热分解温度有利于制得纯净的ZnO薄膜. 文中考察了在不同热处理温度下制备的ZnO薄膜的形貌、结晶性、带隙(Eg)以及电导性. 原子力显微镜(AFM)测试表明在热处理温度为400、450和500 ℃制备的ZnO薄膜的粗糙度均方根值分别为3.3、2.7和3.6 nm. 采用透射电子显微镜(TEM)测试发现ZnO薄膜中含有大量纳晶粒子. 通过测试ZnO薄膜的UV-Vis吸收光谱, 根据薄膜位于373 nm处的吸收带边计算得到ZnO的带隙为3.3 eV. 通过对薄膜的电流-电压(I-V)曲线的测试计算得到在热处理温度为400、450和500 ℃制备的ZnO薄膜的电阻率分别为3.3×109、2.7×109和6.6×109 Ω·cm. 450 ℃时制备的ZnO薄膜的电阻率最小, 主要是由于较高的热处理温度有利于提高薄膜的纯度、密度和吸附氧. 而纯度较高、密度较大的薄膜电阻率比较小; 吸附氧含量增加, 晶界势垒增大, 电阻率增大. 因此在纯度和吸附氧的双重作用下450 ℃时制备的ZnO薄膜的电阻率最小, 而500 ℃时制备的ZnO薄膜的电阻率最大.     

退火温度对CdSe纳米薄膜的形成及光电性能影响

在室温下,采用循环伏安法在ITO上沉积CdSe纳米薄膜。利用X射线衍射仪(XRD)、场发射扫描电镜(FESEM)、原子力显微镜(AFM)、X射线光电子能谱分析(XPS)、紫外-可见(UV-VIS)分光光度计以及电化学工作站对不同温度退火后的CdSe纳米薄膜的晶体结构、形貌、光学性能、光电化学性能进行表征和测试。结果表明,退火温度对CdSe纳米薄膜的形貌和性能起到关键性作用。薄膜表面平整、厚度均匀,且由呈纳米颗粒状的立方相CdSe构成;经退火后,CdSe纳米颗粒出现不同程度的长大现象,Se含量随退火温度的升高而减少。紫外-可见吸收光谱表明随着退火温度的升高,CdSe纳米薄膜对可见光的吸收发生红移,表明禁带宽度逐渐减小,表现出量子尺寸效应。通过光电流测试表明随着退火温度的升高,CdSe薄膜的光电响应效应显著提高。     

退火温度对CdSe纳米薄膜的形成及光电性能影响

在室温下,采用循环伏安法在ITO上沉积CdSe纳米薄膜。利用X射线衍射仪(XRD)、场发射扫描电镜(FESEM)、原子力显微镜(AFM)、X射线光电子能谱分析(XPS)、紫外-可见(UV-VIS)分光光度计以及电化学工作站对不同温度退火后的CdSe纳米薄膜的晶体结构、形貌、光学性能、光电化学性能进行表征和测试。结果表明,退火温度对CdSe纳米薄膜的形貌和性能起到关键性作用。薄膜表面平整、厚度均匀,且由呈纳米颗粒状的立方相CdSe构成;经退火后,CdSe纳米颗粒出现不同程度的长大现象,Se含量随退火温度的升高而减少。紫外-可见吸收光谱表明随着退火温度的升高,CdSe纳米薄膜对可见光的吸收发生红移,表明禁带宽度逐渐减小,表现出量子尺寸效应。通过光电流测试表明随着退火温度的升高,CdSe薄膜的光电响应效应显著提高。