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1D, 2D and 3D ZnO: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications
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1D, 2D and 3D ZnO: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2021) | Viewed by 15853

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Olga Sánchez Garrido

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CSIC - Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), Cantoblanco, Spain
Interests: thin films; magnetron sputtering; metal doped ZnO; nanostructured ZnO; ternary compounds; TCO films
Dr. Manuel Hernandez-Velez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Interests: low dimensional systems; thin films; materials synthesis and characterization; functional nanostructures

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of materials whose scientific, technical, and social impact in the past 50 years has been corroborated through a huge number of publications around the world about this material and its applications. In this Special Issue, we would like to focus our attention on this material, particularly in its synthesis, properties, and applications as thin films given its increasing importance in a great variety of fields. This purpose does not exclude other works on nanoscale zinc oxide systems that have increasingly been imposed in areas such as biomedicine, pharma, and environmental Sciences. Our main general objective is to present the most innovative and relevant research results on ZnO through the collection of original works from the most prominent groups around the world, in its synthesis, characterization, and applications.

In particular, the topics of interest include but are not limited to:

  • ZnO: New top–down synthesis and characterization;
  • ZnO: New bottom–up synthesis and characterization;
  • Novel characterization techniques;
  • Solar energy applications;
  • Biomedical applications;
  • Catalytic applications;
  • Applications in the alimentary industry;
  • Environmental applications;
  • ZnO as electronic material.

Dr. Olga Sánchez Garrido
Dr.  Manuel Hernández-Vélez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Coatings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

4 pages, 205 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue “1D, 2D, and 3D ZnO: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications”
by Olga Sánchez and Manuel Hernández-Vélez
Coatings 2021, 11(6), 696; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings11060696 - 10 Jun 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1454
Abstract
Zinc Oxide (ZnO) is a well-known II–VI semiconductor with a direct bandgap around 3 [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 1D, 2D and 3D ZnO: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

14 pages, 3044 KiB  
Article
ZnOTe Compounds Grown by DC-Magnetron Co-Sputtering
by Olga Sánchez and Manuel Hernández-Vélez
Coatings 2021, 11(5), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings11050570 - 14 May 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1626
Abstract
ZnOTe compounds were grown by DC magnetron cosputtering from pure Tellurium (Te) and Zinc (Zn) cathodes in O2/Ar atmosphere. The applied power on the Zn target was constant equal to 100 W, while the one applied on the Te target took [...] Read more.
ZnOTe compounds were grown by DC magnetron cosputtering from pure Tellurium (Te) and Zinc (Zn) cathodes in O2/Ar atmosphere. The applied power on the Zn target was constant equal to 100 W, while the one applied on the Te target took two values, i.e., 5 W and 10 W. Thus, two sample series were obtained in which the variable parameter was the distance from the Te targets to the substrate. Sample compositions were determined by Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS) experiments. Structural analysis was done using X-Ray diffraction (XRD) spectrometry and the growth of the hexagonal w-ZnO phase was identified in the XRD spectra. RBS results showed high bulk homogeneity of the samples forming ZnOTe alloys, with variable Te molar fraction (MF) ranging from 0.48–0.6% and from 1.9–3.1% for the sample series obtained at 5 W and 10 W, respectively. The results reflect great differences between the two sample series, particularly from the structural and optical point of view. These experiments point to the possibility of Te doping ZnO with the permanence of intrinsic defects, as well as the possibility of the formation of other Te solid phases when its content increases. The results and appreciable variations in the band gap transitions were detected from Photoluminescence (PL) measurements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 1D, 2D and 3D ZnO: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)
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9 pages, 2630 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Zinc Oxide and Nanostructured Porous Silicon Composite Micropatterns on Silicon
by Rehab Ramadan, Vicente Torres-Costa and Raúl J. Martín-Palma
Coatings 2020, 10(6), 529; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings10060529 - 30 May 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3312
Abstract
The luminescent properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) and nanostructured porous silicon (PSi) make these materials very appealing for photoemission applications. The current study reports on the fabrication of a composite of ZnO and nanostructured porous silicon micropatterns (ZnO + PSi micropatterns) onto heavily-doped [...] Read more.
The luminescent properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) and nanostructured porous silicon (PSi) make these materials very appealing for photoemission applications. The current study reports on the fabrication of a composite of ZnO and nanostructured porous silicon micropatterns (ZnO + PSi micropatterns) onto heavily-doped silicon surfaces. The proposed composite micropattern is devoted to the future development of light-emitting diodes. The fabrication of the ZnO + PSi micropatterns was carried out in a two–step process. (1) A regular hexagonal micropattern of a photoresist/ZnO stack was fabricated by UV lithography on crystalline silicon substrates. (2) Before being lifted off the photoresist, nanostructured PSi micropatterns were fabricated by electrochemically etching the exposed areas of the silicon substrate. Subsequently, wet etching of the photoresist was carried out for the final development of the composite ZnO and PSi micropatterns. Further, thin films of ZnO and nanostructured PSi layers were characterized. In particular, their photoluminescent properties were analyzed, as well as their morphology and composition. The experimental PL results show that the ZnO layers have emission broadbands centered at (2.63 eV, blue), while the PSi layers show a band centered at (1.71 eV, red). Further, the emission peaks from the PSi layers can be tuned by changing their fabrication conditions. It was observed that the properties of the ZnO thin films are not influenced by either the surface morphology of PSi or by its PL emissions. Therefore, the PL properties of the composite ZnO + PSi micropatterns are equivalent to those featuring the addition of PSi layers and ZnO thin films. Accordingly, broadband optical emissions are expected to arise from a combination between the ZnO layer (blue band) and PSi (red band). Furthermore, the electrical losses associated with the PSi areas can be greatly reduced since ZnO is in contact with the Si surface. As a result, the proposed composite micropatterns might be attractive for many solid-state lighting applications, such as light-emitting diodes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 1D, 2D and 3D ZnO: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)
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14 pages, 5167 KiB  
Article
Self-Organized In-Depth Gradients in Highly Ti-Doped ZnO Films: Thermal Versus MW Plasma Annealing
by Rehab Ramadan, Ramón Fernández-Ruiz and Miguel Manso Silván
Coatings 2020, 10(4), 418; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings10040418 - 23 Apr 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2676
Abstract
Highly Ti-doped ZnO films have been produced by a spin-casting sol-gel process. The spin-casted films show high in plane homogeneity and optical quality. However, when inspected in depth, the surface composition is Ti rich. We show that two possible annealing processes can be [...] Read more.
Highly Ti-doped ZnO films have been produced by a spin-casting sol-gel process. The spin-casted films show high in plane homogeneity and optical quality. However, when inspected in depth, the surface composition is Ti rich. We show that two possible annealing processes can be considered depending on the properties to exploit. To promote in-depth homogenization, thermal annealing processes have been applied. Meanwhile, the gradients can be exacerbated, thanks to a non-negligible surface sputtering, by applying microwave (MW) plasma treatments with Ar discharges at different pressures. The microstructural properties of the differently processed films have been obtained prior to a study by grazing incidence X-ray fluorescence (GI-XRF) spectroscopy, which reveals the in-depth composition trends induced by the two alternative annealing procedures. The final wetting, electrical and optical properties of the films are described in accordance with the Ti distribution pattern revealed by GI-XRF. The study underlines for the first time how MW plasma annealing processes can be used to exacerbate self-induced atomic gradients in sol-gel films with potential implications in catalytic and biomedical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 1D, 2D and 3D ZnO: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)
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13 pages, 4775 KiB  
Article
Re-Oxidation of ZnO Clusters Grown on HOPG
by Carlos Morales, Adolfo del Campo, Javier Méndez, Pilar Prieto and Leonardo Soriano
Coatings 2020, 10(4), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings10040401 - 18 Apr 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2831
Abstract
This article studies the chemical interaction between ZnO and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite for as grown and thermally treated samples. In-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ex-situ Raman spectroscopy confirm that graphite is affected by these processes, becoming oxidized and defective only in the [...] Read more.
This article studies the chemical interaction between ZnO and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite for as grown and thermally treated samples. In-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ex-situ Raman spectroscopy confirm that graphite is affected by these processes, becoming oxidized and defective only in the presence of ZnO clusters that become recrystallized upon thermal re-oxidation processes performed at 400 °C. By comparing these results with other identical experiments performed with ZnO clusters grown on graphene and even with CoO clusters grown on graphite, the present results show how the interaction of the ZnO clusters with graphitic substrates depend on two factors—firstly, the mode of growth and corresponding morphology, and secondly, the reactivity of the graphitic substrates, either graphene or graphite. The results presented here will help us understand the fundamental interactions in ZnO/graphitic heterostructures and to define their operating limits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 1D, 2D and 3D ZnO: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)
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16 pages, 14432 KiB  
Article
Low-Temperature Vapor-Solid Growth of ZnO Nanowhiskers for Electron Field Emission
by Carina Hedrich, Stefanie Haugg, Leutrim Pacarizi, Kaline P. Furlan, Robert H. Blick and Robert Zierold
Coatings 2019, 9(11), 698; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings9110698 - 25 Oct 2019
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3299
Abstract
One-dimensional zinc oxide nanostructures have aroused interest from scientists and engineers for electron field emission applications because of their experimentally accessible high aspect ratio in combination with their low work function. A comprehensive study of the vapor-solid growth of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowhiskers [...] Read more.
One-dimensional zinc oxide nanostructures have aroused interest from scientists and engineers for electron field emission applications because of their experimentally accessible high aspect ratio in combination with their low work function. A comprehensive study of the vapor-solid growth of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowhiskers by utilizing zinc acetylacetonate hydrate and oxygen at low temperature (580 °C) is reported herein. The nanowhiskers morphology was investigated by varying different growth parameters, such as temperature, substrate type and position, gas flow, precursor amount, and growth time. According to the obtained parameter dependences, the process was optimized to achieve homogenous crystalline nanowhiskers with high aspect ratios and clearly defined surface facets and tips. We show electron field emission measurements from tailor-made ZnO nanowhiskers grown on n-doped silicon, titanium thin films, and free-standing silicon nitride membranes, revealing field emission turn-on fields significantly lower compared to a perfect flat ZnO thin film. Especially the latter devices—ZnO nanowhiskers on a free-standing membrane—might pave the way into a novel nanomembrane detector unit in proteomics, which can significantly extend the mass range of current time-of-flight mass spectrometers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 1D, 2D and 3D ZnO: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications)
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