“ Tuning The Surface Morphology Of Nanocolumnar Zno Films Via Zno Seeds Prepared Using Biotemplates Based On Eggshell Membranes And Electrospinning”

J. OROZCO-MESSANA; M. D. REYES TOLOSA; R.CAMARATTA; A.N.C.LIMA; L.C. DAMONTE; M. A. HERNANDEZ-FENOLLOSA

Congreso; 4ºCongreso Nacional - 3° Congreso Iberoamericano “Hidrógeno y Fuentes Sustentables De Energía (HYFUSEN 2011)”; 2011

A method for growing nanostructured ZnO thin films on the ZnO seeded indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate by electrodeposition using ZnO seeds is presented. The seeds were created from ZnO nanofibers fabricated by two methods: i) an electrospinning method using a solution containing as precursors zinc nitrate hexahydrate, polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and ethyl alcohol; ii) an very creative method using biotemplates based on eggshell membranes. These methods have been proved to be an effective and simple technique to produce nanocrystalline fibers (around 20nm diameter) and the possibility of obtain large quantities of materials. A ~20 nm-thick layer of uniform and dense films were produced by spin-coating ZnO nanofibers to provide nucleation sites for nanowire growth. Structural and optical characterization of ZnO nanofibers by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and optical reflection spectroscopy were done. The results indicate that different phases were obtained according to the initial conditions. The structural, optical and chemical properties of nano-structured zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films obtained by electrodeposition on seeded ITO covered glass are determined using the same techniques as with the fibers.The nanowire arrays made in solution have a rod diameter, length, density, and orientation desirable for use in ordered nanorod-polymer solar cells.