Fabrication and characterization of zinc oxide-coated silicon nanowires deposited via spray pyrolysis

Abstract

Surface morphology and optical properties of zinc oxide and zinc oxide-coated silicon nanowires thin films were investigated. High density silicon nanowires were grown via electroless etching. Zinc acetate solutions with different volumes (50ml, 75ml, and 100ml) were used as a coating to produced Zinc oxide-coated silicon nanowire thin films. Different optical characterizations such as reflectance, transmittance, and photoluminescence spectroscopy were performed. Scanning electron microscopy was also done for investigation of surface morphology. Results indicated that silicon nanowires exhibits very distinct depletion in reflectance when it coated with zinc oxide.