Simple ZnO Nanowires Patterned Growth by Microcontact Printing for High Performance Field Emission Device

Abstract

We present a novel and simple method for the patterned growth of ZnO nanowires (NWs) that combines (1) the direct patterning of ZnO nanoparticle (NP) seeds via microcontact printing and (2) subsequent low-temperature hydrothermal growth. The ZnO NPs can be patterned as seed layers for ZnO NW growth on various substrates including flexible polymer films. The NW geometry and configuration can be controlled by varying the printing conditions (time and pressure) and the hydrothermal reaction time. The “needleleaf-like” sharp-tipped ZnO NWs with a radially grown structure were examined at the pattern edges. To assess the possibility of high-performance electronic applications of the patterned ZnO NWs, their field emission characteristics were examined by fabricating a high-performance field emission device with a patterned ZnO NW array. The remarkable enhancement of the field emission properties is attributed to the minimized field emission screening that results from the radial ZnO NW structures and micropatterning. This versatile ZnO NW patterning process is a powerful means for the large-scale and continuous production of functional ZnO NW devices.

Low‐Temperature Rapid Fabrication of ZnO Nanowire UV Sensor Array by Laser‐Induced Local Hydrothermal Growth

“…1D nanostructures, or nanowires (NWs), have been studied extensively for the future application in diverse areas including optoelectronics [1,2], energy harvesting devices [3,4], and sensors [5][6][7][8][9] due to its large surface-to-volume ratio and other unique properties. Among various materials, ZnO NW can be employed usefully for sensor applications because of its high on/off ratio [10] and low cost fabrication [11], and the related studies reported that ZnO NW can detect the change in pressure [5], humidity [6], gas concentration [7], UV illumination [12][13][14], and even biomolecular interactions [8].…”

Focused Energy Field Method for the Localized Synthesis and Direct Integration of 1D Nanomaterials on Microelectronic Devices

“…In terms of the local synthesis of nanomaterials, previously reported approaches based on the patterning of seeds or catalysts provide similar capabilities to those of the FEF synthesis method. However, because these methods realize local nanomaterial synthesis by seed/catalyst patterning through processes such as lithography, contact printing, inkjet printing or focused laser beam writing, they all require multiple steps such as alignment to the device electrodes, pattern definition, and surface cleaning. Furthermore, the chemical reactions for nanomaterial synthesis occur in the bulk phase and therefore waste a large amount of materials and energy.…”

Recent Progress in Hydrothermal Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanomaterials

“…Growth of ZnO nanowire arrays has been demonstrated on patterned ZnO nanoparticle seed layers achieved by microcontact printing [53]. Controlled patterned growth of ZnO nanostructure arrays can be achieved by using patterned seed layers.…”

“…In addition to visible luminescence from such devices [92,95,106], UV emission has also been obtained and it dominates over visible emission at higher bias voltages [106]. Field emission device with excellent performance based on ZnO nanowires has been reported [53]. For display applications, in addition to LEDs (either as actual display pixels or as backlight for liquid crystal displays), displays based on field emission are also of practical interest.…”

“…UV emission was also obtained from devices consisting of ZnO nanorods and another small molecule organic material (N,N di(naphth-2-yl)-N,N diphenylbenzidine) [136]. (5) [53]. Field emission device with excellent performance based on ZnO nanowires has been reported [53].…”