Microstructure and optical properties of ZnO nanorods prepared by anodic arc plasma method

Introduction: A one-dimensional ZnO nanostructure is a versatile and multifunctional n-type semiconductor. In this paper, ZnO nanorods were successfully prepared by the anodic arc plasma method in an oxidizing atmosphere. Methods: The composition, morphology, crystal microstructure, and optical properties of ZnO nanorods were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and the corresponding selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (XEDS), ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy, Raman scattering spectrum (Raman), and photoluminescence spectrum (PL). Results: The experiment results show that ZnO nanorods synthesized by this method possess hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure with good crystallization, no other impurity phases are observed, the crystalline size is about 18 nm, and the lattice constant distortion occurs compared to that of bulk ZnO. The morphology of the sample is a rod-like shape, the length ranges from 100 nm to 300 nm, the average diameter is approximately 20 nm, and the aspect ratio is relatively high. The UV-VIS absorption spectrum occurs red shift, The Raman spectrum further demonstrates that the major peaks are assigned to ZnO optical vibrational modes, and the PL spectrum exhibits coexistence properties of ultraviolet (UV) and green emission. Conclusions: The results prove that ZnO nanorods with hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure were successfully prepared by the anodic arc plasma method in an oxidizing atmosphere.