Electronic and optical properties of functionalized zigzag ZnO nanotubes.

The present paper reports the analysis of surface decoration on the structural, electronic, and optical properties of (n,0) ZnO nanotubes, performed by means of a density function theory based ab-initio approach. Fe functionalization induced buckling in ZnO nanotubes affects its electronic and optical properties. Increase in Fe functionalization leads to better stability of ZnO nanotube and shows enhanced metallic character. The possibility of its use in optoelectronics has been analyzed in terms of dielectric constant, absorption coefficient, and refractive index. In another observation, the high sensitivity of the HCN molecule for the Fe-incorporated ZnO nanotube suggests it as a potential gas sensor. Graphical abstract HCN-adsorbed Fe-ZnO nanotube, electron difference density, and PDOS analysis of different orbitals.