Photoluminescence spectra of ZnO nanorods in various gas atmospheres

초록

ZnO based nanostructures have recently attracted much attention due to their potential applications in spintronic and ultraviolet (UV) to violet light-emitting and other optoelectronic device. We investigated the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of solution-based synthesized ZnO nanorods in various gas atmospheres such as N 2, O 2, Ar, H 2, CO, and H 2O. The ZnO nanorods were fabricated by using a simple sonochemical method. The typical feature in PL spectra is a strong and sharp peak near 375 nm (NBE peak) and a broad structure near 550 nm (deep level). In the N 2 atmosphere, the NBE peak is dramatically enhanced, but the deep level emission is significantly suppressed. These behaviors are observed similarly in Ar, H 2 and CO gas atmospheres. In contrast, this behavior is reversed in the O 2 atmosphere. Our finding is discussed in relation to the surface states formed in ZnO nanorods. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.