Nanostructuring of monocrystalline ZnO with energetic ion beams for novel optical functional materials

0582326 - ÚJF 2024 CZ eng D - Thesis
Jagerová, Adéla
Nanostructuring of monocrystalline ZnO with energetic ion beams for novel optical functional materials.
Ústav jaderné fyziky AV ČR, v. v. i. Defended: Přírodovědecká fakulta UJEP v Ústí nad Labem. 14.03.2023. - Ústí nad Labem: Univerzita Jana Evangelisty Purkyně v Ústí nad Labem, 2023. 126 s.
Institutional support: RVO:61389005
Keywords : semiconductors * ZnO * ion beam modification * damage accumulation * surface nanostructuring * Au nanoparticles
OECD category: Atomic, molecular and chemical physics (physics of atoms and molecules including collision, interaction with radiation, magnetic resonances, Mössbauer effect)

This dissertation thesis is focused on the nanostructuring of various ZnO crystallographic orientations with ion beams. Crystalline ZnO is a semiconductor applied for its interesting optical and photocatalytic properties in optoelectronics working in ultra-violet (UV) wavelength region (diodes, UV detectors), sensors and photocatalytic degradations. ZnO modification with gold (Au) nanoparticles or surface nanostructuring can extend ZnO applications into the visible light wavelength region, increase the sensitivity of ZnO-based sensors and improve photocatalytic properties. Mainly polar (c-plane) ZnO crystallographic orientation is applied for device fabrication, but it exhibits an undesirable Stark effect. Thus also nonpolar ZnO crystallographic orientation nanostructuring is keeping attraction. The goal of this thesis is the preparation of Au nanoparticles in polar and nonpolar ZnO with implantation of middle energy Au ions and ZnO surface nanostructuring with high energy heavy ion irradiation. Simultaneously, the radiation defect cumulation was studied in connection to the optical properties of nanostructures prepared in different ZnO crystallographic orientations. Elemental composition and structural changes were observed with Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) in channelling mode and the results were compared with complementary methods such as Raman spectroscopy and roentgen diffraction (XRD). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Microscopy of atomic forces (AFM) were applied for the visualisation of nanostructures prepared with ion beams. The optical properties were studied with photoluminescence measurement, spectroscopic ellipsometry and absorption spectra analysis.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0350440