Structure, linear and nonlinear optical and photocatalytic properties investigation of ZnO nanorods: influence of growth time

The main goal of the present paper is to fabricate ZnO nanorods (NRs) as well as to investigate their structural, optical and photocatalysis properties. The proposed study could help in the development of these materials to be used in optoelectronic and water treatment applications. The ZnO NRs were synthesized on gold (Au)-coated glass substrates by electrochemical deposition technique. The SEM images demonstrated the uniform and dense development of ZnO NRs. The NRs’ average diameter and length increased from 87 to 368 and from 357 to1600 nm, respectively, by increasing the growth time from 30 to 180 min. The ZnO NRs have hexagonal crystalline structure and grow in the direction of the (200) plane. The optical absorption analysis showed a decrement of the band gap of ZnO NRs from 3.17 to 2.69 eV by the variation of time from 60 to 180 min. The refractive index, dissipative factor and electron loss functions were affected also by the deposition time. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO NRs was improved by an increase in both irradiation and deposition time.