Morphological and crystalline analysis of ZnO/ZnS nanostructures on porous silicon substrate

Abstract

ZnO/ZnS core-shell nanostructures were successfully synthesized on porous silicon substrates using hydrothermal methods. Multiple morphological and crystalline characterizations were performed on the structures. Results indicate that a uniformly grown ZnS shell with a thickness of around 10 nm could be observed on the cross-section of ZnO/ZnS core-shell structures. Furthermore, different crystalline phases and morphologies could be observed in selected area diffraction patterns between neighboring nanostructures. Material compositional analysis conducted by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicate that varied nanostructure element compositions grew perpendicular to the substrate. ZnS/ZnO nanostructures on porous silicon substrates show promise for future optoelectronic and electronic device applications.