Orientation-controlled growth and optical properties of diverse Ag nanoparticles on Si(100) and Si(111) wafers.

Well-controlled growth of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on Si substrates is important for next generation Si-based optoelectronic devices, but only randomly oriented Ag NPs have been previously reported. In this work, well-oriented Ag NPs with regular shapes are pseudomorphically grown on Si(100) and Si(111) substrates with crystallographic relationships of {100} mathematical left angle bracket 010 mathematical right angle bracket Ag ∥ {100} mathematical left angle bracket 010 mathematical right angle bracket Si and {111} mathematical left angle bracket 110 mathematical right angle bracket Ag ∥ {111} mathematical left angle bracket 110 mathematical right angle bracket Si, respectively. From a cross-sectional image, the Ag NPs on Si(100) substrates penetrate into Si and generate an inverted pyramid-like structure terminated by {111} planes embedded in Si substrates. In contrast, the Ag NPs on Si(111) substrates show flat morphology with the top plane terminated by Ag {111}. The Si underneath Ag NPs was not penetrated by Ag and a SiO(2) layer was formed between Ag and Si. Photoluminescence spectra of the Ag NPs show ultraviolet emissions centered in the 340-343 nm range. The mathematical left angle bracket 111 mathematical right angle bracket-oriented Ag particles show stronger emissions with an extra peak at 343 nm compared with mathematical left angle bracket 100 mathematical right angle bracket-oriented Ag NPs. Raman spectra show that the mathematical left angle bracket 100 mathematical right angle bracket - and mathematical left angle bracket 111 mathematical right angle bracket-oriented Ag NPs can enhance the peak intensity of Si(100) and Si(111) by 45.3% and 32.5%, respectively. The orientation-controlled Ag NPs with anisotropic optical properties are promising materials for Si-based optoelectronics.

The evolution of well-aligned amorphous carbon nanotubes and porous ZnO/C core-shell nanorod arrays for photosensor applications.

Well-aligned amorphous carbon nanotube (a-CNT) and porous ZnO/C core-shell nanorod (NR) arrays were fabricated for the first time by a proposed deposition-etching-evaporation (DEE) route. The arrays were prepared by deposition of carbon on the surface of well-aligned ZnO NR arrays by thermal decomposition of acetone followed by spontaneous etching and evaporation of core-ZnO. By utilizing the decomposition of acetone as well as distinct degrees of interaction between intermediate products and ZnO, well-aligned nonporous ZnO/C core-shell NR, porous ZnO/C core-shell NR, and a-CNT arrays were separately prepared by varying the working temperature from 400 to 700 °C. Scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy show that the thickness of carbon shells increases from 3 to 10 nm with the increase in working temperature. Raman spectra demonstrate slight sp(2) bonds of carbon, indicating small graphite regions embedded in amorphous carbon nanoshells. The E(2) peaks of ZnO reduce with the increase in substrate temperature. Photoresponse measurements of ZnO/C NR arrays shows enhancement of both photoresponsivity and response velocity, and the interference of humidity with regard to photosensing is effectively reduced by the capping of carbon nanoshells. The work not only provides an effective route to improve the photosensing of semiconductor nanomaterials for practical applications, but also sheds light on preparing various hollow carbon and porous ZnO/C core-shell nanostructures with distinct morphologies by employing the routes presented in the paper on diverse ZnO nanostructures for optoelectrochemical applications.

ZnO-Sn:ZnO core-shell nanowires and ZnO-Zn2SnO4 comb-like nanocomposites.

Novel single-crystalline ZnO-Sn:ZnO (SZO) core-shell nanowires and ZnO-Zn2SnO4 (ZTO) comb-like nanocomposites were synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition at a low temperature of 650 degrees C. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy show the diameters and lengths of the core-shell nanowires are in ranges of 25-60 nm and 300-500 nm, respectively. The atomic ratios of Sn to (Zn + Sn) in the central and shell parts of the nanowire are 0.4 at.% and 6.1 at.%, respectively. The ZnO-ZTO comb-like nanocomposites possess ZnO nanocombs with ZTO nano-layers deposited on both sides of them. The ZnO branches and ZTO layers are single-crystalline wurtzite and spinel structures growing along the [0002] and [111] directions, respectively. Room-temperature cathodoluminescence measurements show the nanocomposites exhibit strong ultraviolet (UV) emissions at 300, 384 nm, and a broad green emission. The novel luminescence shows promising singularity for opto-electronic applications.

Enhanced density control of Al:ZnO nanowires via one-by-one coupling of nanowires and pyramids.

Al doped ZnO nanowire arrays with controlled growth densities were fabricated on silicon without using catalysts via sputtering followed by thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy results show that the Al:ZnO single-crystalline nanowires synthesized by CVD prefer growing epitaxially on the tips of the ZnO pyramids pre-synthesized by sputtering with the c-axis perpendicular to the substrate. Consequently, the densities of the as-grown Al:ZnO nanowires were controllable by changing the particle densities of the pre-grown ZnO seed layers. The Al concentration of the Al:ZnO nanowires were measured to be around 2.63 at.% by electron energy loss spectrum. Field-emission measurements show the turn-on fields of the Al:ZnO nanowire arrays with controllable area densities are tunable. Room-temperature cathodoluminescence spectra of the Al:ZnO nanowires show relatively strong and sharp ultraviolet emissions centered at 383 nm and broad green emissions at around 497 nm. This work provides a simple method to control the field emission and luminescence densities of Al doped ZnO nanowire arrays, which also shows good potential for developing nano-pixel optical devices.

Simple synthesis and size-dependent surface-enhanced Raman scattering of Ag nanostructures on TiO2 by thermal decomposition of silver nitrate at low temperature.

A low-temperature dry-process was proposed to synthesize silver nanoparticles, nanorods, and nanoplates on TiO(2) films via thermal decomposition of silver nitrate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows only silver crystals were synthesized on the substrate without other byproducts remaining. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveal the Ag nanoparticles are single-crystalline face-centered cubic (FCC) structures and their average diameters decrease from 100 to 15 nm with the increase in distance from the source, which corresponds to a decrease of substrate temperature from 350 to 110 degrees C. The Ag nanorods are also single-crystalline FCC structures growing along the [110] direction with diameter and length around 40 and 500 nm, respectively. The morphology of silver nanostructures could be adjusted by varying the working pressure as well as the roughness of the substrates. An obvious size-dependent SERS effect on the TiO(2) substrate with silver nanoparticles was observed for the first time. The enhancement factor increases as the size of the Ag nanoparticles decreases, which is attributed to the increase of hot spots. In addition, fractional brookite in the anatase films could be detected only after being loaded with Ag nanoparticles, which demonstrates the application of SERS in detecting fractional and important features of semiconductors.

The synthesis and electrical characterization of Cu2O/Al:ZnO radial p-n junction nanowire arrays.

Vertically aligned large-area p-Cu(2)O/n-AZO (Al-doped ZnO) radial heterojunction nanowire arrays were synthesized on silicon without using catalysts in thermal chemical vapor deposition followed by e-beam evaporation. Scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy results show that poly-crystalline Cu(2)O nano-shells with thicknesses around 10 nm conformably formed on the entire periphery of pre-grown Al:ZnO single-crystalline nanowires. The Al doping concentration in the Al:ZnO nanowires with diameters around 50 nm were determined to be around 1.19 at.% by electron energy loss spectroscopy. Room-temperature photoluminescence spectra show that the broad green bands of pristine ZnO nanowires were eliminated by capping with Cu(2)O nano-shells. The current-voltage (I-V) measurements show that the p-Cu(2)O/n-AZO nanodiodes have well-defined current rectifying behavior. This paper provides a simple method to fabricate superior p-n radial nanowire arrays for developing nano-pixel optoelectronic devices and solar cells.

Tunable Work Function of Mg xZn1- xO as a Viable Friction Material for a Triboelectric Nanogenerator.

Since the invention of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), their output performance has been improved through various approaches such as material surface modification, device structure optimization, and so on, but rarely through the development of new friction materials. In this work, a magnetron sputtered Mg xZn1- xO film is developed as a viable friction material that rubs against polydimethylsiloxane in a TENG. The work function, measured by Kelvin probe microscopy, of the Mg xZn1- xO films can be effectively tuned by varying Mg composition, x, and exposed surface facets, which are shown to dominate the charge-transfer behavior. In addition, film thickness also plays an important role, affecting the output performance. The output voltage and total charge of a TENG with a Mg xZn1- xO film are demonstrated to be tremendously enhanced by 55 and 90 times, respectively, compared to that of a TENG with a ZnO film. Even more intriguingly, the tribo-output polarity can be reversed by adjusting the relative work function through varying the preferred growth orientation of the Mg xZn1- xO film, for a given value of Mg content.

Freestanding Three-Dimensional CuO/NiO Core-Shell Nanowire Arrays as High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery Anode.

We demonstrate significant improvement of CuO nanowire arrays as anode materials for lithium ion batteries by coating with thin NiO nanosheets conformally. The NiO nanosheets were designed two kinds of morphologies, which are porous and non-porous. By the NiO nanosheets coating, the major active CuO nanowires were protected from direct contact with the electrolyte to improve the surface chemical stability. Simultaneously, through the observation and comparison of TEM results of crystalline non-porous NiO nanosheets, before and after lithiation process, we clearly prove the effect of expected protection of CuO, and clarify the differences of phase transition, crystallinity change, ionic conduction and the mechanisms of the capacity decay further. Subsequently, the electrochemical performances exhibit lithiation and delithiation differences of the porous and non-porous NiO nanosheets, and confirm that the presence of the non-porous NiO coating can still effectively assist the diffusion of Li+ ions into the CuO nanowires, maintaining the advantage of high surface area, and improves the cycle performance of CuO nanowires, leading to enhanced battery capacity. Optimally, the best structure is validated to be non-porous NiO nanosheets, in contrary to the anticipated porous NiO nanosheets. In addition, considering the low cost and facile fabrication process can be realized further for practical applications.

Synthesis and characterization of bis (acetylacetonato κ-O, O') [zinc(ii)/copper(ii)] hybrid organic-inorganic complexes as solid metal organic precursors.

We have synthesized novel metal organic hybrid mixed compounds of bis (acetylacetonato κ-O, O') [zinc(ii)/copper(ii)]. Taking C10H14O4Zn0.7Cu0.3 (Z0.7C0.3AA) as an example, the crystals are composed of Z0.7C0.3AA units and uncoordinated water molecules. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction results show that the complex Z0.7C0.3AA crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/n. The unit cell dimensions are a = 10.329(4) Å, b = 4.6947(18) Å, and c = 11.369(4) Å; the angles are α = 90°, ß = 91.881(6)°, and γ = 90°, the volume is 551.0(4) Å(3), and Z = 2. In this process, the M(ii) ions of Zn and Cu mix and occupy the centers of symmetrical structural units, which are coordinated to two ligands. The measured bond lengths and angles of O-M-O vary with the ratio of metal species over the entire series of the complexes synthesized. The chemistry of the as-synthesized compounds has been characterized using infrared spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, and the morphology of the products has been characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The thermal decomposition of the Z0.7C0.3AA composites measured by thermogravimetric analysis suggests that these complexes are volatile. The thermal characteristics of these complexes make them attractive precursors for metal organic chemical vapor deposition.

Composition fluctuation induced growth of Al:ZnO rectangular nanorod arrays.

Arrays of single-crystalline Al doped ZnO rectangular nanorods were synthesized and nucleated from single-crystalline ZnO nanosheets by thermal chemical vapor deposition. The rectangular nanorods were grown from the periodic thicker regions of the nanosheets, associated with Al concentration fluctuation and evidenced from electron energy loss spectroscopy. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy also shows variations in the lattice constant and dislocations at the interface due to lattice strain. The composition modulation induced by doping may serve as a driving force for creating interesting nanostructures with tunable properties.

ZnO nanorods with two spatially distinct light emissions.

Single-crystalline ZnO nanorods emitting two characteristic optical emissions from opposite halves of the nanorods were synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition using Zn/Al mixed powders. Energy dispersive x-ray spectra with transmission electron microscopy show a gradually decreasing Zn:O atomic ratio from the root to the top of a nanorod, and the averaged ratios at the two ends are ≈57.2:42.8 and 49.5:50.5. Room-temperature cathodoluminescence measurements show that the nanorods exhibit a sharp ultraviolet emission at 377 nm from one segment and a broad green band at 500 nm from the other, which is attributed to different oxygen concentrations along the nanorods. The luminescence behavior suggests further applications for nano-pixel optoelectric devices.

Recent patents on fabrication of nanowires.

Nanowires are the building blocks of future nanodevices and thus methods for fabricating nanowires of various materials in various forms are fundamentally important. Although nanowires have been intensively studied, there are only a few methods that showed promising characteristics for practical applications. Here, we intend to review those patents, which enable nanowire growth to be more controllable and feasible for applications. Various methods for fabricating metal, semiconductor and organic nanowires with promising features are reviewed, where some emphasize the characteristics of individual nanowires, others address the uniformity and alignment of an array of nanowires as a whole. The patents for fabricating nanowires of various materials are introduced in the first part. In the second part, the patents to improve crystalline quality, morphology, uniformity of nanowires are introduced. Finally, the patents for growing aligned nanowire arrays and aligning dispersed nanowires are reviewed.