Influence of the precursor anion on the photoluminescence properties of ZnO.

ZnO nanorod arrays were synthesized by hydrothermal method with two different zinc salts as precursors: zinc acetate and zinc nitrate. Different anions in solution distinctly influence the intrinsic defects in ZnO nanostructures, resulting in different photoluminescence properties. The defects induced by precursors were systematically studied by photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectrometer and electron paramagnetic resonance. The results show that zinc acetate precursor mainly introduces zinc vacancy to the lattice while ZnO nanorods obtained from zinc nitrate contain more interstitial oxygen.