Optically active materials based on nanocrystalline ZnO

Introduction

Zinc oxide is widely used in advanced ceramics, catalysts, varistors and ferrites. With respect to its wide band gap 3,2 eV, zinc oxide based materials may serve as visible light source active phase. ZnO is pyroelectric, piezoelectric and n-type semiconductor material.

We developed low temperature growth method of ZnO nanopowders of high crystalographic quality. They show only excitonic emission. Powders with a small distribution of sizes can be obtained.

This powders were tested by us for applications as biomarkers and in photovoltaics of a third generation.

Essentials:

• ZnO doped with transition elements and lanthanides
• Controllable size and shape of nanoparticles
• Biocompatible

Application

Possible application in drug synthesis, fotovoltaics and water dissociation processes.