Highly efficient luminescence from hybrid structures of ZnO/multi-walled carbon nanotubes for high performance display applications

We report an interesting observation on strong enhancement in green luminescence from hybrid ZnO/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The hybrid structures were synthesized via a high temperature sintering method. The strong green emission at 510 nm has been attributed to surface defects of ZnO, originating from interactions between ZnO and the MWCNT surface, which has been confirmed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Furthermore, the two-dimensional (2D) layer of this hybrid material shows a high degree of homogeneity and 82% transparency. Time resolved emission spectroscopy measurement shows a photoluminescence decay time in microseconds, which is suitable for making optoelectronic devices.