Synthesis and size control of ZnO nanorods by conventional pulsed-laser deposition without catalyst

Abstract

C-axis oriented ZnO nanorods were grown on both sapphire and silicon substrates by conventional pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) without catalyst. Investigations on the effects of PLD parameters reveal that the nanorods can be synthesized in a relatively wide range of substrate temperatures (550-700 °C) under high oxygen pressures (5-20 Torr). The size control was accomplished by adjusting substrate temperature and background pressure. The photoluminescence properties of the nanorods were closely related to the size difference, surface status and substrate nature. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.