Controlled Synthesis of Oriented Zinc Oxide Nanowires Arrays by Electrochemical Deposition on Sputtered Layer

In this study, dense zinc oxide nanowires were electrochemically synthesized on sputtered zinc oxide buffer layers substrates using a solution of zinc chloride as a precursor. The control of nanowires density was studied. X-Ray Diffraction patterns revealed the formation of pure wurtzite zinc oxide structure. The mechanism of the formation of zinc oxide nanorods from the nucleation to the growth stage is proposed based on the study of the deposition parameters. Optical analysis reveals that these films can be involved in solar cells as window layers. Moreover, controlling structural properties of the buffer is an excellent way to control the formation of nanorods during the nucleation step. In fact, Scanning Electronic Microscopy images and reflectometry analysis showed that the buffer layer consists of dense nanoparticles, with a density that increases by increasing the radiofrequency frequency power, This can be explained by the densification of the nanorods deposited thereon.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the electrochemical synthesis of dense zinc oxide nanowires on sputtered zinc oxide buffer layers substrates using zinc chloride solution as a precursor. The formation mechanism of the nanorods and their potential application in solar cells as window layers were investigated. It was found that controlling the structural properties of the buffer layer is crucial in determining the density of the nanorods during the nucleation step.