Structural and Luminescence Features of Lithium-Doped p-Type Film-Like ZnO Nanorods

We report the structural and optical characteristics of p-type lithium (Li)-doped ZnO film-like nano-structures prepared by utilizing a simple hydro-thermal method in an aqueous solution at a low temperature (< 90 degrees C). The diameters and densities of the Li-doped ZnO nanostructures were controlled by adjusting the molar concentration. A relatively high molar concentration resulted in hexagonal and flat surface-shaped ZnO nanostructures. In addition, a post-annealing process in the range of 400 to 600 degrees C effectively leads to the incorporation of lithium dopant as an acceptor, resulting in optical p-type behavior. The p-type features of synthesized Li-doped ZnO nanostructures were analyzed using a photoluminescence measurement using a He-Cd laser as an excitation source at 10 K. Closer investigation of the fine donor- and acceptor-bound exciton emission peaks from the low temperature PL spectra revealed the occurrence of several peaks related to free excitons (FX), excitons bound to acceptor (A(0)X), free electron to the acceptor transition peak (FA), and its LO phonon replicas.