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Zn3N2 nanowires: growth, properties and oxidation
Matthew Zervos1, Chrystalla Karipi, Andreas Othonos
1Nanostructured Materials and Devices Laboratory, Nanotechnology Research Unit, School of Engineering, University of Cyprus, P,O, Box 20537, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus. zervos@ucy.ac.cy.
Nanoscale Research Letters
|May 14, 2013
Summary
Researchers synthesized zinc nitride (Zn3N2) nanowires with a cubic structure and a band gap of 3.2 eV. Surface oxidation can form Zn3N2/ZnO core-shell structures, impacting their electronic properties.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Solid State Physics
Background:
- Zinc nitride (Zn3N2) is a semiconductor material with potential applications in electronics.
- Controlling the morphology and properties of Zn3N2 nanostructures is crucial for device fabrication.
- Surface oxidation can significantly alter the electronic and optical properties of metal nitride nanomaterials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize zinc nitride (Zn3N2) nanowires (NWs).
- To investigate the optical band gap of Zn3N2 NWs.
- To explore the formation of Zn3N2/ZnO core-shell structures due to surface oxidation and calculate their band diagram.
Main Methods:
- Growth of Zn3N2 NWs on Au/Al2O3 substrates via reaction of Zn with NH3 and H2 at 500-600°C.
- Optical band gap estimation using steady-state absorption-transmission spectroscopy.
- Calculation of the Zn3N2/ZnO core-shell NW energy band diagram using Poisson-Schrödinger equations.
Main Results:
- Zn3N2 NWs with diameters of 50-100 nm and cubic crystal structure were successfully grown, exhibiting an optical band gap of approximately 3.2 eV.
- Surface oxidation of Zn3N2 NWs was observed, leading to the expected formation of Zn3N2/ZnO core-shell structures.
- Highly oriented Zn3N2 layers with a cubic crystal structure and an optical band gap of approximately 2.9 eV were obtained on Au/Si(001) under similar conditions.
Conclusions:
- The synthesis method yields cubic Zn3N2 nanowires with a tunable band gap.
- Surface oxidation is a critical factor influencing the properties of Zn3N2 nanostructures, potentially enabling core-shell heterostructures.
- The study provides insights into the electronic properties of Zn3N2 and its oxidized forms, relevant for semiconductor applications.
