Low temperature synthesis and optical properties of small-diameter ZnO nanorods

Small-diameter ZnO nanorods $(∼10nm)$ with lengths of $80–100nm$ were synthesized by a simple solution route at low temperature $(61.2°C)$⁠. X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses confirmed that the nanorods are hexagonal single crystals with a growth direction along [001]. Room temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurement showed a strong ultraviolet (UV) emission peak at $382nm$ with weak deep level emission. Quantum confinement effect in the ZnO nanorods was clearly revealed by low temperature PL. The complex origin of the UV peak has been discussed based on the temperature-dependent photoluminescence measurements.