Compact ZnO nanorods composed film by re-growth of ZnO nanorods and Ar plasma treatment

Abstract

Compact, film-like ZnO nanorods were fabricated by re-growth of ZnO nanorods on base ZnO nanorods using a simple low-temperature hydrothermal technique. The Ar plasma treatment was employed to blur the boundaries of re-grown ZnO nanorods. The morphology, crystalline and electrical properties of both re-grown and Ar plasma treated re-grown ZnO nanorods were studied by SEM, AFM, XRD, and four point probe measurement. The SEM images and AFM analysis revealed the increasing diameter and compact arrangement of re-grown ZnO nanorods. The XRD analysis showed highly uniform [002] orientation. The resistivity of re-grown ZnO nanorods composed film is 3.906Ω*cm while resistivity of re-grown ZnO nanorods composed film with Ar plasma treatment is 2.231Ω*cm which indicates that the Ar plasma treatment blurred the boundaries therefore decreasing the resistivity. The optical transmittance of as-grown and re-grown ZnO nanorods in the visible range was higher than 80%.