Structural and optical properties of N-doped ZnO nanorod arrays

Abstract

Large-scale arrays of N-doped ZnO nanorods have been synthesized on quartz substrates by pulsed laser deposition techniques. The ZnO/N nanorods have a diameter of 150–200 nm and a length of 1–1.5 µm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed the implantation of nitrogen into the nanorod arrays and Raman scattering proved that their wurtzite structure was retained with high crystal quality. Optical spectroscopy showed that the incorporation of nitrogen into the ZnO nanorods reduced the transmission in the visible wavelength range. Room temperature and 4.6 K photoluminescence measurements of ZnO/N nanorods revealed intense UV peaks similar to ZnO and, at cryogenic temperature, a blue emission peak at 2.652 eV with a full width at half maximum of ∼83 meV.