Hierarchical zinc oxide nanobrushes ultraviolet photodetector

In order to synthesise hierarchical zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials with a high surface-to-volume ratio, a well-controlled multistage hydrothermal method was developed. Hierarchical ZnO nanobrushes (ZNBs) built from initial mono-morphological nanomaterials, ZnO nanowires (ZNWs), and ZnO nanoplates (ZNPs) were developed using sequential nucleation and growth following a hydrothermal process. Hierarchical nanomaterials which are comprised of one-dimensional (1D) nanowire building blocks were obtained via a zinc ion source (zinc nitrate) during the second growth phase. In comparison to their first mono-morphological equivalents, the hierarchical nanomaterials which were grown showed improved ultraviolet (UV) detection, as well as improved sensitivity (∼104), an ultra-fast response time (235 ms), and a good recovery time (310 ms). Improvements to the response and recovery times were a result of distinct nanojunction barrier-dominated resistance. Moreover, the enhanced sensitivity of the ZNB photodetector (PD) was because of the reduced dimensionality and the ultrahigh surface-to-volume ratio. This work lays the groundwork for lower-cost, larger-scale, and lower-temperature production of high-performance nanostructured ZnO-based PDs on transparent and flexible substrates.