Hierarchical structured ZnO nanorods on ZnO nanofibers and their photoresponse to UV and visible lights

Hierarchical structured ZnO consisting of nanorods on electrospun nanofibers (ZnO nanorod-on-ZnO nanofiber) was prepared via hydrothermal reaction in the presence of hexamethylenetetramine. The density of the ZnO nanorods on electrospun ZnO nanofibers could be controlled by the concentration of the nutrient solution. The as-obtained ZnO nanorod-on-ZnO nanofiber hierarchical structure was assembled into electronic device with two Au electrodes for UV detection. After surface functionalization with N719 dye, the as-obtained ZnO nanorod-on-ZnO nanofiber nanomaterial could also be used as a visible light detector. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.