Influence of reduced graphene oxide on material, antibacterial, and piezoelectric behaviors of ZnO nanorods on foldable indium tin oxide substrates

Abstract

In this study, zinc oxide nanostructures integrated with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) were fabricated on foldable indium tin oxide substrates. To study the influence of RGO on the material, antibacterial, and piezoelectric properties on the nanostructures, multiple material, antibacterial, and electrical measurements were performed. Results indicate that inserting a RGO layer on the foldable substrate could form nanocylinder ZnO structures, which induced hydrophobicity and better antibacterial properties. Moreover, addition of appropriate RGO into ZnO seed layer may cause the growth of finer ZnO nanorods (NRs) and enhance piezoelectric effects. With stable electrical pulse generative piezoelectric effects and antibacterial properties, ZnO nanostructures with addition of RGO on foldable substrates have potential for future flexible biomedical and electronics applications.