Muhammad Qadir Israr

White Electroluminescence Using ZnO Nanotubes/GaN Heterostructure Light-Emitting Diode

We report the fabrication of heterostructure white light–emitting diode (LED) comprised of n-ZnO nanotubes (NTs) aqueous chemically synthesized on p-GaN substrate. Room temperature electroluminescence (EL) of the LED demonstrates strong broadband white emission spectrum consisting of predominating peak centred at 560 nm and relatively weak violet–blue emission peak at 450 nm under forward bias. The broadband EL emission covering the whole visible spectrum has been attributed to the large surface area and high surface states of ZnO NTs produced during the etching process. In addition, comparison of the EL emission colour quality shows that ZnO nanotubes have much better quality than that of the ZnO nanorods. The colour-rendering index of the white light obtained from the nanotubes was 87, while the nanorods-based LED emit yellowish colour.

Trimming of aqueous chemically grown ZnO nanorods into ZnO nanotubes and their comparative optical properties

Highly oriented ZnO nanotubes were fabricated on a silicon substrate by aqueous chemical growth at low temperature (<100 °C) by trimming of ZnO nanorods. The yield of nanotubes in the sample was 100%. Photoluminescence spectroscopy of the nanotubes reveals an enhanced and broadened ultraviolet (UV) emission peak, compared with the initial nanorods. This effect is attributed to whispering gallery mode resonance. In addition, a redshift of the UV emission peak is also observed. Enhancement in the deep defect band emission in the nanotubes compared to nanorods was also manifested as a result of the increased surface area.Highly oriented ZnO nanotubes were fabricated on a silicon substrate by aqueous chemical growth at low temperature (<100 °C) by trimming of ZnO nanorods. The yield of nanotubes in the sample was 100%. Photoluminescence spectroscopy of the nanotubes reveals an enhanced and broadened ultraviolet (UV) emission peak, compared with the initial nanorods. This effect is attributed to whispering gallery mode resonance. In addition, a redshift of the UV emission peak is also observed. Enhancement in the deep defect band emission in the nanotubes compared to nanorods was also manifested as a result of the increased surface area.

Chemically fashioned ZnO nanowalls and their potential application for potentiometric cholesterol biosensor

Chemically fashioned zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowalls on aluminum wire have been characterized and utilized to fabricate a potentiometric cholesterol biosensor by an electrostatic conjugation with cholesterol oxidase. The sensitivity, specificity, reusability, and stability of the conjugated surface of ZnO nanowalls with thickness of ∼80 nm have been investigated over a wide logarithmic concentrations of cholesterol electrolyte solution ranging from 1×10−6–1×10−3 M. The presented biosensor illustrates good linear sensitivity slope curve (∼53 mV/decade) corresponding to cholesterol concentrations along with rapid output response time of ∼5 s.

Forward- and reverse-biased electroluminescence behavior of chemically fabricated ZnO nanotubes/GaN interface

Electroluminescence characteristics of an n-ZnO nanotubes/p-GaN heterostructure light-emitting diode (LED) have been investigated at forward and reverse bias. Distinctly different emission spectra have been observed and the location of the recombination of electron–hole is analyzed under both configurations. The forward-biased emission spectrum shows two peaks centered at around 450 and 560 nm, while the reverse-biased spectrum exhibits a single emission peak at 650 nm. By comparing the current transport mechanisms, it is suggested that the violet-blue emission peak (450 nm) observed only under forward bias is originating from the heterojunction of the ZnO nanotubes/p-GaN LED. The influence on the emission intensity of the device with the increase in temperature at constant current is studied in the range from 25 to 65 °C, to check its compatibility for practical applications and under harsh conditions.

Indirect optical transition due to surface band bending in ZnO nanotubes

ZnO nanotubes (ZNTs) have been successfully evolved from ZnO nanorods (ZNRs) by a simple chemical etching process. Two peaks located at 382 and 384 nm in the UV emission region has been observed in the room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of ZNTs since the surface band bending in ZNTs induces the coexistence of indirect and direct transitions in their emission process. In addition, a strong enhancement of total luminescence intensity at room temperature in ZNTs has also be observed in comparison with that of ZNRs. Both temperature-dependent PL and time-resolved PL results not only further testify the coexistence of indirect and direct transitions due to the surface band bending but also reveal that less nonradiative contribution to the emission process in ZNTs finally causes their stronger luminescence intensity.

Progress on one-dimensional zinc oxide nanomaterials based photonic devices

Abstract One-dimensional nanostructures hold the most attractive and excellent physiochemical characteristics which exhibit the paramount influence on the fundamental and technological nanoelectronic as well as nanophotonic applications. In this review article, we present a detailed introduction to the diverse synthetic procedures which can be utilized for the fabrication of single-, planar- and three-dimensional ZnO nanostructures. More specifically, a thorough discussion regarding luminescence characteristics of the one-dimensional ZnO nanostructures is presented for ultraviolet and visible regions. We summarize the room temperature spontaneous emission and stimulated emission along with the interaction of the incident beam with material cavity to produce resonant optical modes and low-temperature time resolved photoluminescence studies. The most recent published results on the white light emitting diodes fabricated with the combination of ZnO nanotubes with p-GaN and ZnO nanorods with p-organic polymers on glass and disposable paper are discussed. Additionally, the significant results on optically and electrically pumped lasers are discussed; along with an overview on the future of ZnO nanostructures based photonic devices.

Structural Characterization and Biocompatible Applications of Graphene Nanosheets for Miniaturization of Potentiometric Cholesterol Biosensor

The potentiometric cholesterol biosensor based on graphene nanosheets has been successfully miniaturized. Cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) has been immobilized onto graphene nanosheets exfoliated on copp ...

Potentiometric urea biosensor utilizing nanobiocomposite of chitosan-iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles

The iron oxide (Fe3O4) magnetic nanoparticles have been fabricated through a simple, cheap and reproducible approach. Scanning electron microscope, x-rays powder diffraction of the fabricated nanoparticles. Furthermore, the fabrication of potentiometric urea biosensor is carried out through drop casting the initially prepared isopropanol and chitosan solution, containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles, on the glass fiber filter with a diameter of 2 cm and a copper wire (of thickness −500 μm) has been utilized to extract the voltage signal from the functionalized nanoparticles. The functionalization of surface of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles is obtained by the electrostatically immobilization of urease onto the nanobiocomposite of the chitosan- Fe3O4 in order to enhance the sensitivity, specificity, stability and reusability of urea biosensor. Electrochemical detection procedure has been adopted to measure the potentiometric response over the wide logarithmic concentration range of the 0.1 mM to 80 mM. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles based urea biosensor depicts good sensitivity with ~42 mV per decade at room temperature. Durability of the biosensor could be considerably enhanced by applying a thin layer of the nafion. In addition, the reasonably stable output response of the biosensor has been found to be around 12 sec.

Intrinsic white-light emission from zinc oxide nanorods heterojunctions on large-area substrates

Zinc oxide (ZnO) and especially in the nanostructure form is currently being intensively investigated world wide for the possibility of developing different new photonic devices. We will here present our recent findings on the controlled low temperature chemical growth of ZnO nanorods (NRs) on different large area substrates. Many different heterojunctions of ZnO NRs and p-substrates including those of crystalline e.g. p-GaN, p-SiC or amorphous nature e.g. p-polymer coated plastic and p-polymer coated paper will be shown. Moreover, the effect of the p-electrode of these heterojunctions on tuning the emitted wavelength and changing the light quality will be discussed. An example using ZnO NR/p-GaN will be shown and the electrical and electro-optical characteristics will be analyzed. For these heterojunctions the effect of post growth annealing and its effect on the electroluminescence (EL) spectrum will be shown. Finally, intrinsic white light emitting diodes based on ZnO NRs on foldable and disposable amorphous substrates (plastic and paper) will also be presented.

Applications of Zinc Oxide Nanowires for Bio-photonics and Bio-electronics

Using zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures, nanorods (NRs) and nanoparticles (NPs) grown on different substrates (sub-micrometer glass pipettes, thin silver wire and on plastic substrate) different bio-sensors were demonstrated. The demonstrated sensors are based on potentiometric approach and are sensitive to the ionic metals and biological analyte in question. For each case a selective membrane or enzyme was used. The measurements were performed for intracellular environment as well as in some cases (cholesterol and uric acid). The selectivity in each case is tuned according to the element to be sensed. Moreover we also developed photodynamic therapy approach based on the use of ZnO NRs and NPs. Necrosis/apoptosis was possible to achieve for different types of cancerous cell. The results indicate that the ZnO with its UV and white band emissions is beneficial to photodynamic therapy technology.