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Effective Regulation of ZnO Surface Facets for Enhanced Photoluminescence Properties Assisted by Zinc Quaternary Ammonium Salts

Summary

Researchers developed a simple method to create special zinc oxide (ZnO) structures shaped like mushrooms with enhanced light-emitting properties. By adjusting the ratio of methanol to water in a heating process and using a special zinc-based chemical as a building block controller, they achieved structures with specific crystal surface exposures. These twined-mushroom structures showed significantly brighter light emission, making them promising candidates for use in light-emitting devices that require single-color output.

Background

ZnO has attracted significant research attention due to its unique physical, chemical, and optical properties and variable morphologies. The crystal structure of ZnO consists of alternating Zn2+ and O2- ions forming hexagonal units with polar (001) and (001̅) facets as well as nonpolar prismatic faces. Surface facet exposure significantly influences ZnO material properties and performance in various applications.

Objective

This study aims to fabricate ZnO twined-mushroom structures with highly exposed (001̅) planes using solvothermal synthesis with zinc quaternary ammonium salt assistance. The researchers sought to regulate ZnO surface facets through solvent composition control and evaluate the resulting enhanced photoluminescence properties.

Results

Morphological evolution from twined rods to twined mushrooms was achieved by increasing MeOH concentration from 80 to 95 vol%. ZnO twined-mushroom structures showed ~90% exposure of polar (001̅) facets and exhibited approximately 5-fold enhancement in photoluminescence intensity compared to twined-bundle structures. Similar morphological evolution was observed in EtOH-H2O systems, confirming the universality of the mechanism.

Conclusion

The DDAB- anions from zinc quaternary ammonium salt act as capping agents selectively adsorbing on ZnO crystallite surfaces to regulate morphology and direct oriented aggregation. Increasing alcohol concentration in the solvent system inhibits crystal growth along specific directions, promoting polar facet exposure. This work demonstrates an effective approach for controlling metal oxide morphologies to achieve superstructures with enhanced optical properties suitable for light-emitting devices.
  • Published in:ACS Omega,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c01841, PMID: 34278131
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