Pt/ZnO Schottky nano-contact for piezoelectric nanogenerator

The electrical characteristics of Pt Schottky contact to ZnO nanorod were studied with atomic force microscopy. A Pt tip was placed on the top end of a ZnO nanorod, forming a Pt/ZnO Schottky nano-junction. An ideality factor of 3.1 was derived from the current-voltage characteristics curve of the junction. As an application of the Schottky nano-contact, piezoelectric generation of the ZnO nanorod was carried out with atomic force microscopy. The rectifying effect of Pt/ZnO nano-contact on accumulating and releasing piezoelectric current for the nanogenerator was analyzed. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.