Graphene Oxide Concentration Effect on the Optoelectronic Properties of ZnO/GO Nanocomposites
Issam Boukhoubza,
Mohammed Khenfouch,
Mohamed Achehboune,
Liviu Leontie,
Aurelian Catalin Galca,
Monica Enculescu,
Aurelian Carlescu,
Mohammed Guerboub,
Bakang Moses Mothudi,
Anouar Jorio,
Izeddine Zorkani
Affiliations
Issam Boukhoubza
Group of Nanomaterials and Renewable Energies, Laboratory of Solid State Physics, Faculty of Sciences Dhar el Mahraz, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 1796, Atlas Fez 30 000, Morocco
Mohammed Khenfouch
Africa Graphene Center, Department of Physics, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Science Campus, University of South Africa, Cnr Christiaan de Wet & Pioneer Avenue, Florida 1709, Johannesburg, South Africa
Mohamed Achehboune
Group of Nanomaterials and Renewable Energies, Laboratory of Solid State Physics, Faculty of Sciences Dhar el Mahraz, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 1796, Atlas Fez 30 000, Morocco
Liviu Leontie
Faculty of Physics, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bulevardul Carol I, nr. 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania
Aurelian Catalin Galca
Laboratory of Multifunctional Materials and Structures, National Institute of Materials Physics, Atomistilor 405A, 077125 Magurele, Romania
Monica Enculescu
Laboratory of Multifunctional Materials and Structures, National Institute of Materials Physics, Atomistilor 405A, 077125 Magurele, Romania
Aurelian Carlescu
Integrated Center for Studies in Environmental Science for North-East Region, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bulevardul Carol I, nr. 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania
Mohammed Guerboub
Group of Nanomaterials and Renewable Energies, Laboratory of Solid State Physics, Faculty of Sciences Dhar el Mahraz, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 1796, Atlas Fez 30 000, Morocco
Bakang Moses Mothudi
Department of Physics, University of South Africa, Private Bag X90, Florida 1710, South Africa
Anouar Jorio
Group of Nanomaterials and Renewable Energies, Laboratory of Solid State Physics, Faculty of Sciences Dhar el Mahraz, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 1796, Atlas Fez 30 000, Morocco
Izeddine Zorkani
Group of Nanomaterials and Renewable Energies, Laboratory of Solid State Physics, Faculty of Sciences Dhar el Mahraz, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 1796, Atlas Fez 30 000, Morocco
In this work, the effects of graphene oxide (GO) concentrations (1.5 wt.%, 2.5 wt.%, and 5 wt.%) on the structural, morphological, optical, and luminescence properties of zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs)/GO nanocomposites, synthesized by a facile hydrothermal process, were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of NRs revealed the hexagonal wurtzite structure for all composites with an average coherence length of about 40–60 nm. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study confirmed the presence of transparent and wrinkled, dense GO nanosheets among flower-like ZnO nanorods, depending on the GO amounts used in preparation. Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) measurements revealed the impact of GO concentration on the optical and luminescence properties of ZnO NRs/GO nanocomposites. The energy band gap of the ZnO nanorods was independent of GO concentration. Photoluminescence spectra of nanocomposites showed a significant decrease in the intensities in the visible light range and red shifted suggesting a charge transfer process. The nanocomposites’ chromaticity coordinates for CIE 1931 color space were estimated to be (0.33, 0.34), close to pure white ones. The obtained results highlight the possibility of using these nanocomposites to achieve good performance and suitability for optoelectronic applications.
