Behind the weak excitonic emission of ZnO quantum dots: ZnO/Zn(OH)2 core-shell structure

Abstract

The structure of ZnO quantum dots prepared via the wet chemical method was studied. By introducing an annealing treatment (150 °C–500 °C), we also investigated the effect of the change in the structure of the dots on their luminescence properties. Our studies revealed that the surface of the as-prepared dots is passivated by a thin layer of Zn(OH)2, thus, the dots consist of a ZnO/Zn(OH)2 core-shell structure. We present evidence that the weak excitonic transition of ZnO quantum dots is strongly correlated with the presence of the surface shell of Zn(OH)2. When Zn(OH)2 is present, the excitonic transition is quenched.