Microsphere-assisted Fabry-Perot interferometry: proof of concept

We propose a microsphere-assisted Fabry-Perot interferometry (MAFPI) for microstructure measurement. We stretch the single-mode fiber and combine it with microspheres of different sizes and refractive indices, which can form super-focused spots with different characteristics, that is, a photonic nanojet phenomenon. As a proof of principle, we performed scanning imaging of optical discs and holographic gratings by MAFPI. The optical disc image obtained by MAFPI is consistent with the result obtained by a scanning electron microscope, and the obtained grating image is consistent with the actual result.

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.

A piezo-phototronic enhanced serrate-structured ZnO-based heterojunction photodetector for optical communication

ZnO-based heterojunction photodetectors have been widely used in various fields such as optical imaging and health monitoring. As for the traditional planar heterojunction interface, their limited optical absorption will place restrictions on the full photoelectric potential of ZnO nanorods, which severely restrains the commercial applications of ZnO-based photodetectors. Herein, using an intrinsically octahedral structure of p-type Cu2O and one-dimensional ZnO arrays, the newly designed serrate-structured heterojunction was constructed, whose unique serrate-structured interface of ZnO/Cu2O is highly conducive to the aggrandizing of optical absorption. The as-fabricated photodetector could achieve a high on/off ratio up to 1000 and an optimum photocurrent of 24.90 μA under 1.41 mW mm-2 (405 nm) illumination without bias voltage, which was 2.5 times higher than that of the planar-structured photodetector, and the response time was as quick as 1.6 ms. When the additional external strain was 0.39%, the performance was dramatically enhanced more than 5 times due to the synergism of the piezo-phototronic effect and the serrate-structured design. Based on this, we successfully developed designed photodetector arrays with an excellent optical communication performance of transmitting information. Prospectively, this kind of unique serrate-structured heterojunction design will open up a possible opportunity for high performance photodetectors based on structural engineering.

Facile and inexpensive fabrication of zinc oxide based bio-surfaces for C-reactive protein detection

The paper reports a biosensor formed from antibody coated ZnO nano-crystals which has been prepared using a rapid and inexpensive fabrication method which utilises colloidal dispersion enhanced using sonication. This technique was used to prepare highly ordered and uniform nano-crystalline sensor surfaces on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using 0.5%, 1% and 5% concentrations of zinc oxide nano-crystal suspensions. Impedance spectroscopy was employed to interrogate the sensor surfaces and confirmed high reproducibility of the fabrication process. Changes in impedance values, at a frequency of 138 Hz, were used to establish dose dependent responses for C-reactive protein (CRP) antigen. A limit of detection of less than 1 ng/ml was demonstrated for nano-surfaces fabricated from concentrations of 1% ZnO.

Stretchable and Tunable Microtectonic ZnO-Based Sensors and Photonics

The concept of realizing electronic applications on elastically stretchable "skins" that conform to irregularly shaped surfaces is revolutionizing fundamental research into mechanics and materials that can enable high performance stretchable devices. The ability to operate electronic devices under various mechanically stressed states can provide a set of unique functionalities that are beyond the capabilities of conventional rigid electronics. Here, a distinctive microtectonic effect enabled oxygen-deficient, nanopatterned zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films on an elastomeric substrate are introduced to realize large area, stretchable, transparent, and ultraportable sensors. The unique surface structures are exploited to create stretchable gas and ultraviolet light sensors, where the functional oxide itself is stretchable, both of which outperform their rigid counterparts under room temperature conditions. Nanoscale ZnO features are embedded in an elastomeric matrix function as tunable diffraction gratings, capable of sensing displacements with nanometre accuracy. These devices and the microtectonic oxide thin film approach show promise in enabling functional, transparent, and wearable electronics.

Au-embedded ZnO/NiO hybrid with excellent electrochemical performance as advanced electrode materials for supercapacitor

Here we design a nanostructure by embedding Au nanoparticles into ZnO/NiO core-shell composites as supercapacitors electrodes materials. This optimized hybrid electrodes exhibited an excellent electrochemical performance including a long-term cycling stability and a maximum specific areal capacitance of 4.1 F/cm(2) at a current density of 5 mA/cm(2), which is much higher than that of ZnO/NiO hierarchical materials (0.5 F/cm(2)). Such an enhanced property is attributed to the increased electro-electrolyte interfaces, short electron diffusion pathways and good electrical conductivity. Apart from this, electrons can be temporarily trapped and accumulated at the Fermi level (EF') because of the localized schottky barrier at Au/NiO interface in charge process until fill the gap between ZnO and NiO, so that additional electrons can be released during discharge. These results demonstrate that suitable interface engineering may open up new opportunities in the development of high-performance supercapacitors.