Optical Investigation of ZnO Nanowires

Abstract

In this study we report the application of synchrotron X-ray fluorescence, photoluminescence and Raman scattering techniques to the analysis of the incorporation of impurities in unintentionally doped ZnO nanowires. Highly ordered one-dimensional ZnO arrays were fabricated by an oxidation process of Zn metal electrodeposited in nanoporous anodic alumina template. X-ray fluorescence data show the contribution of residual elements into the ZnO nanowires growth. A rough analytical quantification of the main light and heavy chemical contents derives impurity concentrations below 1%. The optical efficiency of ZnO nanowires is strongly affected by non-radiative centers up to temperatures as low as 100 K. The photoluminescence was found to be totally dominated by optical transitions associated with the anodic alumina template. Finally, the Raman scattering provides no evidence of local vibrational modes or secondary phases, but it shows the unambiguous signature of the ZnO hexagonal phase.

Highly Ordered and Crystalline Cu Nanowires in Anodic Aluminum Oxide Membranes for Biomedical Applications

“…Further, the membrane is characterized by Raman spectroscopy to examine the chemical composition of Cu nanowires, refer to Figure . The Raman characteristics of pure alumina membrane are already reported in literature . In comparison with the absence of bands in case of the pure alumina membrane, the Raman band centred at 1090 cm −1 in case of the membrane after electrodeposition confirmed the deposition of Cu inside alumina pores .…”

Atomic spectrometry update-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

“…Several publications were offered this year using XRF in conjunction with other techniques such as photoluminescence, Raman scattering or XRD for thin film characterisation. Martinez-Criado et al 521 reported the analysis of impurities in unintentionally doped ZnO nano-wires. Using the multi-element capability of XRF they determined the contribution of residual elements in the ZnO nano-wires growth.…”