Synthesis, characterization and cathodoluminescence of self-assembled 1D ZnO/In2O3 nano-heterostructures

Abstract

One-dimensional(1D) ZnO/In₂O₃ nano-heterostructures of ZnO belts decorated with In₂O₃ teeth have been self-assembled on single crystal silicon substrates by thermal chemical vapor transport and condensation without any metal catalysts. After field emission measurements, these hetero-nanostructures have been investigated by cathodoluminescence at room temperature and at low temperature. There are basically no luminescence emissions from In₂O₃ nanoteeth, while intense luminescence emissions existing at two edges of the ZnO nanobelt are attributed to the Fabry–Pérot mode from the optical resonator of the ZnO nanobelt and the results are simulated using FEM (finite element method). In addition, further enhancement phenomena of the Fabry–Pérot mode luminescence emission appearing at one end of some ZnO nanobelts result from decrystallization caused by high-voltage damage in the process of field emission. What’s more, enhancement of luminescence emissions also existing at the interface of the ZnO nanobelt and In₂O₃ nanoteeth originates from In₂O₃ enhancing the luminescence emission of ZnO by continuously contributing carriers excited to ZnO so as to form radiative recombination of 2DEG confined in quantum wells located at the junction.