Title: Investigation into poly (9,9-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) (PFO) coated zinc oxide nanorods on ITO substrates

Authors: Suvindraj Rajamanickam; Sabah M. Mohammad; Ibrahim Abdul Razak; Shireen Mohammed Abed; Aminu Muhammad

Addresses: Institute of Nano Optoelectronics Research and Technology (INOR), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia ' Institute of Nano Optoelectronics Research and Technology (INOR), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia ' Institute of Nano Optoelectronics Research and Technology (INOR), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia ' Institute of Nano Optoelectronics Research and Technology (INOR), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia; Department of Physics, College of Education for Pure Science, University of Anbar, 55431, Anbar, Iraq ' Department of Physics, Sule Lamido University Kafin-Hausa, 048, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract: This work investigates the morphological, structural, optical, and electrical properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) coated with poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) (PFO) for potential applications in UV photodetectors. ZnO NRs are synthesised using a low-cost hydrothermal method, and PFO is deposited onto the NRs through spin coating. The surface morphology and elemental composition are characterised using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the presence of ZnO NRs and the amorphous nature of PFO. The absorption spectra show characteristic peaks related to ZnO NRs and PFO. Current-voltage (I-V) measurements reveal semi-Schottky behaviour for ZnO/Pt contact and p-n diode characteristics for ZnO NRs coated with PFO. The results indicate the formation of a p-n heterojunction between ZnO NRs and PFO, suggesting the potential for enhanced photodetection performance.

Keywords: PFO polymer; ZnO nanorods; FESEM; UV-vis; I-V characterisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2024.141759

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2024 Vol.21 No.4/5, pp.274 - 283

Published online: 01 Oct 2024 *

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