Spontaneous polarization induced electric field in zinc oxide nanowires and nanostars
Abstract
We report on the detection mechanism of spontaneous polarization using electrostatic force microscopy in zinc oxide nanowires and nanostars grown by vapor-liquid-solid technique. Optical and structural properties are investigated in detail to understand the complex ZnO nanostructures comprehensively. Calculations are carried out to estimate the electric field from the change in interleave amplitude induced by the electrostatic force due to the spontaneous polarization effects. Attraction of the probe between the tip and the sample varies for different structures with a stronger attraction for nanostars as compared to nanowires. Strength of electric field is dependent on the orientation of nanowires and nanostars c-axis with measured magnitude of electric field to be ∼107 V/m and 108 V/m respectively. This technique presents a unique detection mechanism of built-in spontaneous polarization and electric field from polar ZnO nanowires with applications in voltage gated ion channels, nano-bio interfaces, optoelectronic and photonic devices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Apr 28, 2016
- Source ID
- 10.1063/1.4947458
Entities
People
- D. Datta
- M. A. Stroscio
- Maitreya Dutta
- Minkyu Choi
- Sidra Farid
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- University of Illinois at Chicago