Photoluminescence in MgO-ZnO Nanorods Enhanced by Hydrogen Plasma Treatment

Abstract

MgO nanorods were fabricated by the thermal evaporation of Mg3N2. The influence of ZnO sheathing and hydrogen plasma exposure on the photoluminescence (PL) of the MgO nanorods was studied. PL measurements of the ZnO-sheathed MgO nanorods showed two main emission bands: the near band edge emission band centered at ~380 nm and the deep level emission band centered at ~590 nm both of which are characteristic of ZnO. The near band edge emission from the ZnO-sheathed MgO nanorods was enhanced with increasing the ZnO shell layer thickness. The near band edge emission from the ZnO-sheathed MgO nanorods appeared to be enhanced further by hydrogen plasma irradiation. The underlying mechanisms for the enhancement of the NBE emission from the MgO nanorods by ZnO sheathing and hydrogen plasma exposure are discussed.