ZnO and related materials for sensors and light-emitting diodes

ZnO is an attractive material for ultraviolet (UV) light emitters and detectors, and transparent thin-film transistors. It is also readily synthesized in the form of nanostructures. In this paper we discuss the fabrication of a number of ZnO thin-film and nanowire devices, including transistors, diodes, and UV and pH sensors. ZnO has been effectively used as a gas sensor material based on the near-surface modification of charge distribution with surface-absorbed species. The large surface area of the nanorods makes them attractive for gas and chemical sensing, and the ability to control their nucleation sites makes them candidates for high-density sensor arrays.