Enhanced Nanogenerator Performances of 1-D Al-Doped ZnO Nanorod Arrays through Ultrasonic Wave Systems

One-dimensional (1-D) well-aligned zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) without and with aluminum (Al) dopants were triumphantly grown on conductive indium-tin-oxide glass substrates through a simple chemical bath deposition at low temperature in this study. The designed devices are also called the AZO-0 and AZO-1 samples. After annealing in a vacuum state (10 min, 600 degrees C), the optical properties of the nanostructures were explored via photo-luminescence emission spectroscopy. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and an X-ray diffraction spectrometer were used to investigate the surface nanostructures and crystalline properties of the NR arrays. It was seen that all nanostructures clearly showed a single-crystal property with hexagonal wurtzite shape and grew vertically on the substrate. The elemental content of the sample was checked by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer. Additionally, nanogenerators (NGs) based on the 1-D AZO-0 and AZO-1 nanostructures were also fabricated and investigated. The copper tape was successfully utilized to combine nanostructures and electrodes for the NG device in an ultrasonic oscillator machine with a water chamber. As a result, it was found that the output power values of the AZO-1 NR NGs were higher than that of the AZO-0 NR NGs. The AZO-1 NRs revealed significantly superior conductive performance in NG devices and are promising candidates in future self-powered NG applications.

Automated summary

In this study, well-aligned one-dimensional zinc oxide nanorods with and without aluminum dopants were successfully grown on conductive indium-tin-oxide glass substrates. The optical properties of the nanostructures were investigated through photo-luminescence emission spectroscopy after annealing. Various techniques such as electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were utilized to analyze the surface nanostructures and crystalline properties. Additionally, nanogenerators based on these nanostructures were fabricated and compared, showing promising results for self-powered applications.