Micro spot ZnO nanotubes using laser assisted chemical bath deposition: A low-cost approach to UV photodetector fabrication

Due to its outstanding characteristics across a wide variety of applications, such as electrical, photonic, electrochemical, and electromechanical devices, one-dimensional Zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the most promising nanostructures. Using a continuous wave semiconductor laser with a wavelength of 460 nm and a power of 1 W, functional ZnO nanostructures known as nanotubes (NTs) with high-quality structural, optical, and electrical properties on a glass substrate coated with iron (Fe) to construct a UV photoconductive detector with high responsivity were produced for first time by using a simple and quick laser assisted chemical bath deposition (LACBD). X-ray diffractometry (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX)analyses were used to investigate the evolution of the material's physical and structural characteristics. Our findings revealed that laser-assisted in-situ irradiation of the chemical solution resulted in faster growth of ZnO thin films. To account for the potential of these nanostructures, the effectiveness of ZnO nanotubes (NTs) in ultraviolet (UV) detection has also been investigated. The NT-based photodetector has outstanding stability and responsiveness in both dark and light conditions. Exciton confinement is identified using time-resolved spectroscopy, suggesting that the high surface-to-volume ratio, optical confinement, and high structural quality of the NTs are responsible.