Synthesis and transverse electromechanical characterization of single crystalline ZnO nanoleaves

2D Nanomaterials for Effective Energy Scavenging

The development of a nation is deeply related to its energy consumption. 2D nanomaterials have become a spotlight for energy harvesting applications from the small-scale of low-power electronics to a large-scale for industry-level applications, such as self-powered sensor devices, environmental monitoring, and large-scale power generation. Scientists from around the world are working to utilize their engrossing properties to overcome the challenges in material selection and fabrication technologies for compact energy scavenging devices to replace batteries and traditional power sources. In this review, the variety of techniques for scavenging energies from sustainable sources such as solar, air, waste heat, and surrounding mechanical forces are discussed that exploit the fascinating properties of 2D nanomaterials. In addition, practical applications of these fabricated power generating devices and their performance as an alternative to conventional power supplies are discussed with the future pertinence to solve the energy problems in various fields and applications.

Piezotronics and Piezo-phototronics of Third Generation Semiconductor Nanowires

With the fast development of nanoscience and nanotechnology in the last 30 years, semiconductor nanowires have been widely investigated in the areas of both electronics and optoelectronics. Among them, representatives of third generation semiconductors, such as ZnO and GaN, have relatively large spontaneous polarization along their longitudinal direction of the nanowires due to the asymmetric structure in their c-axis direction. Two-way or multiway couplings of piezoelectric, photoexcitation, and semiconductor properties have generated new research areas, such as piezotronics and piezo-phototronics. In this review, an in-depth discussion of the mechanisms and applications of nanowire-based piezotronics and piezo-phototronics is presented. Research on piezotronics and piezo-phototronics has drawn much attention since the effective manipulation of carrier transport, photoelectric properties, etc. through the application of simple mechanical stimuli and, conversely, since the design of new strain sensors based on the strain-induced change in semiconductor properties.

Synthesis of high-purity CuO nanoleaves and analysis of their ethanol gas sensing properties

High purity CuO nanoleaves synthesized in solution through oriented attachment exhibit good gas sensing behavior with ethanol.

Scanning probe study on the piezotronic effect in ZnO nanomaterials and nanodevices

ZnO nanomaterials with their unique semiconducting and piezoelectric coupled properties have become promising materials for applications in piezotronic devices including nanogenerators, piezoelectric field effect transistors, and diodes. This article will mainly introduce the research progress on piezotronic properties of ZnO nanomaterials investigated by scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and ZnO-based prototype piezotronic nanodevices built in virtue of SPM, including piezoelectric field effect transistors, piezoelectric diodes, and strain sensors. Additionally, nanodamage and nanofailure of ZnO materials and their relevant piezotronic nanodevices will be critically discussed in their safe service in future nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) engineering.

Aqueous Synthesis and Characterization of CdSe/ZnO Core-Shell Nanoparticles

Core-shell nanomaterials based on CdSe as the core and ZnO as the shell were prepared using an aqueous route involving the use of Cd salt and NaBH4in reaction with Se to generate CdSe in the presence of thioglycerol (TG) as a stabilizer. ZnO has been prepared at pH 12 using stronger base such as NaOH at lower concentration and by varying amounts of Zn2+ions ranging from 2.5, 5, 25 mL, and 50 mL to prepare core-shell nanomaterials. The absorption and emission spectral features are dominated by CdSe nanoparticles with typical shift in the emission maxima red-shifted in relation to the band edges. There is an observable change in the band edge from the core as the amount of ZnO is increased. The TEM features showed the formation of the core-shell from the volume of 5 mL which is indicated by the thin layer of shell on the surface of the CdSe core.