Synthesis of Ag Nanoparticle-Decorated ZnO Nanorods Adopting the Low-Temperature Hydrothermal Method (original) (raw)

Vertically aligned and highly dense Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) have been successfully synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal method and decorated by silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) via a dip coating technique. Absorption spectra indicate the presence of metal Ag NPs. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of as-grown ZnO nanorods shows ultra violet (UV) emission centered around 390 nm and a sharp defect-related emission peak around 580 nm. The presence of Ag NPs on the ZnO NRs shows a significant red shift in PL peak position in the visible region and a complete quenching of UV emission. The changes in UV-Vis and PL spectra of ZnO NRs decorated with Ag metal NPs are studied and discussed.