Photoluminescence and thermoluminescence of ZnO nano-needle arrays and films

ZnO nano-needle arrays and films have been prepared by anodic etching of ZnO foil at constant current in potassium zincate solution and sodium hydroxide alcoholic solution, respectively. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra recorded on ZnO nano-needles have shown a broad band at 585 nm due to the native oxygen defects incorporated during the synthesis processes; in a ZnO film-type sample this band is replaced by another one at 432 nm. Thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves recorded on ZnO nano-needle arrays have shown a broad peak at about 360 °C similar to that observed in ZnO polycrystalline powder. A very strong TL peak at about 325 °C superimposed on a broad one has been observed in a ZnO film-type sample. TL recorded on ZnO nano-needles has tentatively been attributed to the recombination of charge carriers released from the surface states associated with oxygen defects, mainly interstitial oxygen ion centres; the TL mechanism is supported by a recovery effect of the PL and TL after storage in air.