Photoluminescence investigation based on laser heating effect in ZnO-ordered nanostructures

We synthesized ZnO-SiO2 composite opal and ZnO inverse opal by electrodeposition using SiO2-opal template and polystyrene (PS)-opal template, respectively. Compared with compact ZnO nanocrystal film also prepared by electrodeposition, ordered ZnO nanostructures exhibit more significant red-shift and broadening of the UV peak with increasing excitation power, which is due to a stronger local heating effect in ordered ZnO nanostructures. We developed a quantitative analytical method to investigate photoluminescence (PL) of ZnO based on laser heating effects. The experimental data agree well with fitting curves derived from the electron-phonon interaction model. Important parameters, such as electron-phonon coupling strength and thermal activation energy, can be obtained by fitting experimental data. The resonant Raman spectra provide further evidence that the analyses based on laser heating effects are feasible.