Photoconducting response on bending of individual ZnO nanowires

The bending effect of individual zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires on photoconducting behavior has been investigated by an in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) method. By increasing the nanowire bending, the photocurrent of ZnO nanowire under ultraviolet illumination drops dramatically and the photoresponse time becomes much shorter. A possible mechanism has been proposed and discussed. The improved photo response performance by bending ZnO nanowires could be of significance for their optoelectronics and sensor applications.