Blue-green luminescence by SWCNT/ZnO hybrid nanostructure synthesized by a simple chemical route

A hybrid nanostructure of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) is synthesized by a chemical precipitation method at room temperature. Characterization by SEM/EDAX, HRTEM, and Raman and FTIR spectroscopy establishes the nanohybrid structure of the synthesized sample. The average size of ZnO nanocrystallites is 15 nm and they randomly adhere to the surfaces of the SWCNT bundles. The structure is further confirmed by XRD study. Characteristic UV-visible absorption is observed with a strong absorbance peak at 263 nm. Photoluminescence (PL) study shows a broad emission spectrum in the blue-green region, under UV excitation from 220 to 250 nm wavelength. Such composites may find wide applications as tailored luminescent materials for optoelectronic and sensor devices. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.