Optical, electronic, and structural properties of different nanostructured ZnO morphologies

Four different ZnO nanostructures, namely nanoparticles, nanorods, nanoribbons, and nanoshuttles, were synthesized by controlling the pH levels, the chemical compositions, and the conditions of the process. Different ZnO nanostructures' structural, wettability, optical, and electrical properties depend on the morphology and particle size. In particular, X-ray diffraction patterns verify that lattice constants, crystallite size, microstrain, and other related structural parameters are affected by the surface morphology and the particle size. In addition, ZnO nanoparticles have hydrophilic nature, while the other nanostructures have hydrophobic nature. For example, the value of the optical bandgap energy for ZnO nanoparticles, ZnO nanorods, ZnO nanoribbons, and ZnO nanoshuttles is 3.30, 3.33, 3.39, and 3.36 eV, respectively, which is in excellent agreement with standard ZnO thin films bandgap energy values. Furthermore, ZnO nanorods have higher electrical conductivity than other nanostructures, while ZnO nanoshuttles have the lowest electrical conductivity. The grain boundaries and the semiconducting nature influence the electrical conductivity of ZnO nanostructures. Finally, the boundaries create various potential barriers to the transportation of electrons in the medium.

Automated summary

Four different ZnO nanostructures, including nanoparticles, nanorods, nanoribbons, and nanoshuttles, were synthesized by controlling pH levels, chemical compositions, and process conditions. The properties of these nanostructures, such as structure, wettability, optics, and electrical conductivity, depend on their morphology and particle size. ZnO nanoparticles are hydrophilic, while other nanostructures are hydrophobic. Moreover, ZnO nanorods exhibit higher electrical conductivity compared to other nanostructures, whereas ZnO nanoshuttles have the lowest electrical conductivity. Grain boundaries and semiconducting nature play a role in influencing the electrical conductivity of ZnO nanostructures.