Crystal growth behaviour in Au-ZnO nanocomposite under different annealing environments and photoswitchability

Journal Article · Sat Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4752469· OSTI ID:22089460

Mishra, Y. K.; Adelung, R. ^[1]; Chakravadhanula, V. S. K.; Hrkac, V.; Kienle, L. ^[2]; Jebril, S. ^[3]; Agarwal, D. C.; Avasthi, D. K. ^[4]; Mohapatra, S. ^[5]

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1. Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, University of Kiel, Kaiserstrasse 2, 24143 Kiel (Germany)
2. Synthesis and Real Structure, Institute for Materials Science, University of Kiel, Kaiserstrasse 2, 24143 Kiel (Germany)
3. Multicomponent Materials, Institute for Materials Science, University of Kiel, Kaiserstrasse 2, 24143 Kiel (Germany)
4. Inter University Accelerator Centre, Post Box 10502, New Delhi 110067 (India)
5. University School of Basic and Applied Sciences, GGS Indraprastha University, Dwaraka, New Delhi 110075 (India)

The growth of gold nanoparticles and ZnO nanorods in atom beam co-sputtered Au-ZnO nanocomposite (NC) system by annealing at two different ambient conditions is demonstrated in this work. Annealing in a furnace at 600 Degree-Sign C (air environment) confirmed the formation of ZnO nanorods surrounded with Au nanoparticles. In-situ annealing inside a transmission electron microscope (TEM) led to the formation of gold nanocrystals with different polygonal shapes. TEM micrographs were obtained in real time at intermediate temperatures of 300 Degree-Sign C, 420 Degree-Sign C, and 600 Degree-Sign C under vacuum. The growth mechanisms of Au nanocrystals and ZnO nanorods are discussed in the framework of Au-Zn eutectic and Zn-melting temperatures in vacuum and air, respectively. Current-voltage responses of Au-ZnO NC nanorods in dark as well as under light illumination have been investigated and photoswitching in Au-ZnO NC system is reported. The photoswitching has been discussed in terms of Au-ZnO band-diagram.

• OSTI ID: 22089460
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 112, Issue 6; Other Information: (c) 2012 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ANNEALING
BEAMS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CRYSTAL GROWTH
DEPOSITION
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
EUTECTICS
GOLD
ILLUMINANCE
MELTING
MELTING POINTS
NANOSTRUCTURES
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ZINC OXIDES