Structural and optical properties of ZnO microrods as fast and efficient UV scintillator materials

Authors

Hernanie T Salazar Jr; Alexandra B. Santos-Putungan; Arnel A Salvador; Roland V Sarmago; Melvin John F Empizo; Kohei Yamanoi; Ren Arita; Toshihiko Shimizu; Nobuhiko Sarukura

Source

Proceedings of the 33rd Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Congress, University of Northern Philippines, Vigan City, 3–6 Jun 2015, SPP-2015-5B-07.

Abstract

Aqueous chemical grown zinc oxide (ZnO) microrods are found to be crystalline, uniform and well-faceted in terms of structure and morphology. From photoluminescence spectroscopy, these microrods interestingly exhibit ultraviolet (UV) near-band-edge emission at 392 nm (3.16 eV) without any visible or defect-related emission. The UV emission also intensifies with increasing excitation energy. Spectral narrowing is not observed indicating the non-existence of lasing nor stimulated emission from these structures. Having fast luminescence lifetimes less than 100 ps, these ZnO microrods then hold a promise as potential candidates for fast and effcient scintillator materials.