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Chemical Physics Letters 778 (2021) 138825

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Chemical Physics Letters


journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/cplett

Research paper

An unexplored strategy for synthesis of ZnO nanowire films by


electrochemical anodization using an organic-based electrolyte.
Morphological and optical properties characterization
Alejandra Tello a, Andrés Boulett b, Julio Sánchez b, Guadalupe del C. Pizarro c, César Soto d,
Omar E. Linarez Pérez e, Ronald Sanhueza c, Diego P. Oyarzún a, *
a
Laboratorio de Nanotecnología, Energía y Sistemas Complejos, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Departamento de Química y Biología, Universidad de Atacama,
Copayapu 485, Copiapó, Chile
b
Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Facultad de Química y Biología, Departamento de Ciencias del Ambiente, Santiago, Chile
c
Laboratorio de Polímeros y Ciencia de los Materiales, Departamento de Química, Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Avda. Las Palmeras 3360, Santiago, Chile
d
Departamento de Química Analítica e Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Edmundo Larenas 129, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
e
Instituto de Investigaciones en Fisicoquímica de Córdoba (INFIQC), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina
Allende, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: In this work we report the preparation of ZnO nanowires by an unexplored strategy of electrochemical anod­
anodic ZnO ization using an electrolyte medium based mainly on ethylene glycol and fluoride ions, studying the anodization
Electrosynthesis as a function of parameters, such as: temperature and voltage. The results obtained by field emission scanning
Nano-needles
electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show mainly a nanowire morphology
Optical properties
with an average length of 296 nm. Microscopic evidence demonstrate that the size of nanostructures,
morphology and homogeneity of resulting surfaces are completely related to the temperature and voltage con­
ditions used during the zinc anodization. The results obtained by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction
(XRD) corroborate the formation of only ZnO, with a crystallographic structure of hexagonal wurtzite. Finally,
through diffuse reflectivity spectroscopy, bandgap values of [3.19–3.22] eV were estimated, classifying it as a
material with potential characteristics for the fabrication of photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical and
photocatalytic applications.

1. Introduction present an increase of the surface area, which optimizes their diverse
properties [6]. Precisely because of all these characteristics already
Zinc oxide (ZnO) is classified as an n-type binary semiconductor mentioned, ZnO nanostructures stand out over traditional nano­
material due to the interstitial zinc and vacant oxygen atoms in its structured semiconductors such as: SnO2, WO3, CuO, SiO2, GeO2 and
crystal network, in addition to presenting at room temperature a direct TiO2 [7-9]. Among these semiconductors, TiO2 is one of the most studied
bandgap value of ~ 3.37 eV [1]. Crystallized ZnO has a hexagonal nowadays, due to its large specific surface area, biocompatibility and
wurtzite shape, with partially polar characteristics [2]. ZnO nano­ low cost, compared to the other traditional semiconductors. However,
structures have several properties, such as transparency in the visible ZnO presents certain advantages compared to TiO2, because it has
light range, high electron mobility, low cost, biocompatibility, simple similar bandgap values and band edge positions, as well as higher
synthesis, high surface area and high bandgap values [2,3]. Various electron mobility than TiO2 [10]. For this reason, ZnO has attracted
morphologies for ZnO nanostructures have been reported in the litera­ considerable interest from the scientific community during the last
ture, including: nanowires, nanorods, nanorings, nanotubes, nano­ decade, where it has been studied or used in different areas and appli­
spheres, nanoflowers and nano-needles [4,5]. The nanowires are the cations such as: photodetectors, photodiodes, solar cells, gas sensors,
ones that draw attention above the other morphologies because they can supercapacitors, photocatalysis, optoelectronic devices, piezoelectrics,

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: diego.oyarzun@uda.cl (D.P. Oyarzún).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cplett.2021.138825
Received 30 March 2021; Received in revised form 9 June 2021; Accepted 11 June 2021
Available online 13 June 2021
0009-2614/© 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
A. Tello et al. Chemical Physics Letters 778 (2021) 138825

batteries to store energy or hydrogen, in the field of medicine to obtain He/Ne laser (wavelength 632.8 nm) and XRD using a Bruker D8
biosensors capable of detecting biological molecules, such as glucose Advance model with a Cu- radiation of Kα at 40 KV, 40 mA, λ = 1.54 Å
and cholesterol in aqueous solutions [2,4,11,12]. and a scanning range of 20◦ to 70◦ . The optical characterization was
There are reported different methods of synthesis of ZnO nano­ done by diffuse reflectance spectrometry using a UV–Vis Lambda 35
structures, such as electrodeposition [1], thermal evaporation [13], spectrophotometer, Perkin Elmer. Finally, the photocurrent measure­
chemical vapor deposition [14], thermal decomposition [15], sol–gel ments were performed with a three-electrode configuration using a 0.5
processes [16] and electrochemical anodization [17]. However, M K2SO4 electrolyte solution under an argon atmosphere. The electro­
methods consisting of high temperatures difficult to control the chemical cell used was provided with an optical passage through a cir­
morphology of the synthesized oxide, which considerably affects their cular quartz window of 0.8 cm2 area. The sample was illuminated with
photoelectrochemical and optical properties of semiconductor nano­ an ORIEL INSTRUMENTS 6263 Xenon lamp. The illumination power
structures [18], while colloidal methods cause low adhesion of nano­ was quantified with an ORIEL 70,260 radiant energy meter. Measure­
structures on a substrate, limiting their potentials applications in ments were recorded on an EG&G PRINCETON APPLIED RESEARCH
electronic devices [18]. On the contrary, the electrochemical anodiza­ 273-A Potentiostat/Galvanostat.
tion method is a simple, fast, low-cost and environmentally compatible
method [19], by which several morphologies of ZnO nanoparticles have 3. Results and discussion
been obtained, for example: nanopores, nanoflakes, nanoflowers,
nanosheets and nanowire, obtained using various types of electrolytes 3.1. ZnO nanostructures anodization
[20-35]. However, in no case it has been reported in the literature the
obtaining of ZnO nanowires by electrochemical anodization using an Fig. 1 shows the potentiostatic profiles (j/t) obtained during the
electrolyte based on an organic medium, such as ethylene glycol and in anodizing of Zn films. Three different stages of current as a function of
combination with fluoride (F-) ions [20-35]. On the other hand, previous time are observed (Fig. 1a and b). First, a strong current increase, from
studies reported that these chemical conditions of the electrolyte benefit 0 to ≤ 6.34 mA cm2, due to the active dissolution of the zinc substrate by
the type of morphology, homogeneity and size of metal oxide nano­ the effect of the voltage applied on the medium [18,19,33]. This current
structures obtained by electrochemical anodization, such as Cu2O increase is directly related to the applied voltage, obtaining the highest
nanograins and TiO2 nanopores or nanotubes [19,36,37], classifying it values in the samples prepared at 40 V and the lowest in the samples
as a material with potential characteristics for obtaining photo­ made at 20 V, since they contribute less energy to the system [18]. The
electrodes with photoelectrochemical applications in the photo­ second stage consists of a rapid and significant decrease in current be­
degradation of pollutants in aqueous media and photolysis of water tween 20 and 110 s in all potentiostatic profiles obtained (Fig. 1 a and b),
[21,28,32,33]. due to the fact that the anode surface is mostly covered by nano­
In this work, it is reported the synthesis of films with ZnO nanowires structures [34], also reaching minimum currents that are also directly
obtained through electrochemical anodization of Zn, using an organic related to the amount of energy applied to the system [18]. The for­
support electrolyte (ethylene glycol), with the presence of F- ions and mation of these nanostructures is generated by the continuous oxidation
studying parameters, such as applied voltage and synthesis temperature. of zinc by effect of the voltage applied (Eq. (1)) and the fluoride disso­
Also, the physicochemical and photoelectrochemical characterization of lution of the oxide (Eqs. (2) and (3)). [18,38]. The latter step is related to
ZnO nanowires was performed by FESEM and TEM microscopy, Raman the generation of surfaces with higher roughness than the initial ones
spectroscopy, XRD, diffuse reflectance spectrometry and j/E photocur­ [18,19], caused by the partial chemical dissolution of the film previously
rent profiles. formed on the electrode surface due to the presence of fluoride ions in
the electrolyte medium to form highly soluble ZnF2 species (Ksp =
2. Materials and methods 3.04x10-2) [18,39]. Then, the third anodization stage shows a current
evolution to a steady state value where a longitudinal ZnO crystal
The ZnO nanowires were obtained by electrochemical anodization of growth by the chemical reprecipitation of the oxide due to the addition
Zn in an electrochemical cell composed of two electrodes. The anode interfacial alkalinization, takes place (Eq. (4)) [18].
consisted of a 99.99% pure Zn (Sigma Aldrich) sheet, 0.25 mm thick and
1.0 cm2 of exposed area, mounted on a Teflon support. While as a Zn(s) + 2OH–(aq) → ZnO(s) + H2O + 2e- (1)
counter electrode was used a carbon sponge of 0.5 cm thick and 9.0 cm2 -
ZnO(s) + 2F (aq) + H2O → ZnF2(s) + 2OH (aq) –
(2)
of exposed area. Prior to anodizing, the working electrode was me­
chanically polished on polishing pads, in conjunction with an aqueous 2+ -
ZnF2(s) → Zn (aq) + 2F (aq) (3)
suspension of Al2O3 with a particle size of 0.05 μm. Subsequently, the 2+ –
Zn (aq) + 2OH (aq) → ZnO(s) + H2O (4)
surface of the sheet was degreased by immersing it in an acetone/
ethanol solution in a 1:1 ratio and using an ultrasonic bath for 15 min.
After this time, the Zn sheet was rinsed with deionized water and dried
under a flow of N2.
The anodizing experiments were performed using a DYME 200 V/ 2 3.2. FESEM microscopy of ZnO nanostructures
A power supply with DMMVIEW_C software, version 1.0. Voltages of 20,
30 and 40 V were applied for 3600 s at temperatures of 10 and 20 ◦ C. Fig. 2 shows the FESEM micrographs and nanostructure size histo­
The electrolyte solution was prepared using analytical grade reagents grams of the samples anodized at 20 ◦ C (Fig. 2a, c, e and g) and at 10 ◦ C
and composed of 0.1 mol/L NaOH, 0.2 %w/v NH4F, 10 %v/v H2O and (Fig. 2b, d, f and h) at various voltage values. It is observed that at 20 ◦ C,
80.5 %v/v C2H6O2. Anodization was performed with continuum homogeneous, highly rough surfaces are obtained at 40 and 20 V volt­
stirring. ages (Fig. 2a and e) and with low roughness at 30 V (Fig. 2c) due to the
The surface and morphological characteristics of the anodized ZnO type of morphology of the oxide formed. In specific the types of mor­
nanowires were obtained by FESEM and TEM microscopies using a Carl phologies obtained at voltages of 40, 30 and 20 V respectively are:
Zeiss Σigma and LEO1420VP microscopes, respectively. For TEM mea­ nanoflakes with average size values of approximately 160 nm (Fig. 2a),
surements, an aqueous dispersion of the nanowires was obtained by nanowires with an average length of 383 nm (Fig. 2c and g), an average
sonication for 15 min. The analysis of the micrographs was made with width of approximately 61 nm (inset in Fig. 2c) and a surface similar to
Gwyddion 2.53 software. The chemical characterization was carried out that of a sponge (Fig. 2e). On the other hand, it is observed in FESEM
by Raman spectroscopy using a Horiba LabRAM HR spectrometer with a micrographs obtained by anodization at 10 ◦ C and at 40 and 20 V

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A. Tello et al. Chemical Physics Letters 778 (2021) 138825

Fig. 1. Potentiostatic j/t profiles obtained during anodizing of Zn foils, using an electrolytic solution based on ethylene glycol and F- ions, at temperatures of 20 ◦ C
(a) and 10 ◦ C (b), applying voltages of: 40 V (blue line), 30 V (black line) and 20 V (red line), for 3600 s.

voltages (Fig. 2b and f), oxide surfaces with low roughness and irregu­ 47.462◦ , 54.722◦ , 62.822◦ and 67.755◦ , corresponding to the respective
larity. On the other hand, the surface obtained at a voltage of 30 V also crystallographic planes of ZnO nanowires with a hexagonal wurtzite
shows low roughness, but being considerably more homogeneous than crystalline phase, such as (1 0 0), (0 0 2), (1 0 1), (1 0 2), (0 1 3), (1 1 0) and
those obtained in the other two conditions already mentioned (Fig. 2d). (1 1 2) (JCPDS, 80–0075) [33]. The higher intensity of the (0 0 2) plane
Finally, the type of morphology obtained in all the anodization at 10 ◦ C indicates greater crystallinity of the nanostructures and furthermore, a
was of nanowires with an average length of 296 nm for the three voltage tendency for perpendicular to the substrate surface growth of hexagonal
values studied (Figure b, h, and insets in Fig. 2d,f). wurtzite crystallites [41]. This information obtained by XRD corrobo­
rates the crystalline phase characteristics and morphology of the ZnO
3.3. TEM microscopy of ZnO nanowires nanowires previously elucidated by Raman spectroscopy and by FESEM
and TEM microscopy.
Through TEM micrographs, it was obtained a more detailed study of
the ZnO nanowires obtained at 10 ◦ C, with a voltage of 30 V and 3.5. Bandgap estimation of ZnO nanowires
dispersed in water for 15 min of sonication (Fig. 3a–f). In all the TEM
micrographs at clear field (Fig. 3a, c and e), nanowires with an average Fig. 5 shows the optical behavior of the nanowires obtained by
length of approximately 500 nm and an average diameter of approxi­ electrochemical anodization at 10 ◦ C and at various voltage values. In
mately 100 nm are observed, corroborating the information obtained by the diffuse reflectance spectrum (Fig. 5a), a reflectivity edge is observed
FESEM. While with the dark field TEM micrographs it was proved that for the three samples analyzed from approximately 310 nm to 350 nm.
the dark morphologies observed in light field effectively correspond to This is generated due to the reflectance of photons that do not have the
the anodized ZnO nanowires in the dimensions already mentioned necessary energy to interact with atoms or electrons [42], in addition to
(Fig. 3b, d and f) [1]. Also, nanostructures with sizes < 100 nm are structural defects caused by oxygen or zinc vacancy in ZnO [5].
observed, corresponding to pieces of nanowires that were fractured Although, a reflectance edge at longer wavelength than that obtained in
during the ultrasound treatment [1]. These results indicate that the this research has been reported in the scientific literature, this decrease
anodized ZnO nanowires in these experimental conditions can be has been attributed to increased quantum confinement of the ZnO
dispersed in water by a simple and fast method, as sonication, which nanowires [5,13,42]. The estimation of the bandgap values of ZnO
does not affect the morphology or dimensions of most of the ZnO nanostructures with a direct band separation can be calculated using the
nanowires [1]. Kubelka-Munk function and the Tauc Plot ratio (equation (5) and (6)
respectively) [5,6], extrapolating to the x-axis the slope obtained by a
3.4. Raman and XDR of ZnO nanowires ratio (F(R) × hν)n versus hν [5,6].

Fig. 4a shows the Raman spectra of the ZnO nanowires obtained by (1 − R)2
F(R) = (5)
electrochemical anodization at 10 ◦ C. In each of the obtained spectra, 2R
signals are observed at approximately 435 cm− 1, 574 cm− 1 and 1089
hv = (F(R)xhv)n (6)
cm− 1 respectively. Based on the previously reported for ZnO nanowires,
the signal at 1089 cm− 1 is attributed to a multiphoton resonance process Where, R is the reflectance in absolute values of the analyzed sample,
in the nanometer-sized ZnO structure [40]. Whereas the signal at 574 ν is the frequency of a photon, h is the Planck constant y and n has values
cm− 1 is due to a defect in the crystal structure of the oxide, caused by the of 1 for indirect band transition semiconductors or 0.5 for direct band
vacancy of interstitial oxygen atoms [24,34,40]. On the other hand, the transition semiconductors, such as ZnO [5,6]. The estimated values of
signal at 435 cm− 1 is attributed to the presence of the hexagonal wurt­ bandgap of ZnO wires obtained at 40 V, 30 V and 20 V are 3.17 eV, 3.19
zite structure in the obtained oxide and to the non-polar vibrational eV and 3.22 eV, respectively (Fig. 5b), this slight decrease in bandgap
mode of an oxygen atom [40]. However, this type of crystal structure values as the voltage increases can be attributed to a quantum
must be posteriorly corroborated by XRD. confinement effect in the nanowires [43].
The XRD pattern of ZnO nanowires obtained by electrochemical In the scientific literature, it has been reported to obtain several ZnO
anodization is shown in Fig. 4b. This measurement was performed to nanostructures with bandgap values between 3.10 and 3.87 eV, syn­
study the chemical composition and crystallinity of the synthesized thesized using different electrolytic media, but in no case, they have
nanostructures. Diffraction signals were determined between 2θ = 20◦ − been obtained using an electrolytic medium based on ethylene glycol
70◦ , obtaining the following signals at 2θ = 31.662◦ , 34.322◦ , 36,175◦ , and F- ions (see Table 1) [20-35]. In this context, Ramirez-Canon et al.

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A. Tello et al. Chemical Physics Letters 778 (2021) 138825

Fig. 2. FESEM micrographs of the surface of zinc foils (a-f) and histograms of the length (g and h) of anodized ZnO nanostructures in an electrolytic solution based on
ethylene glycol and F- ions. At temperatures of 20 ◦ C (a, c, e and g) and 10 ◦ C (b, d, f and h), applying voltages of: 40 V (a and b), 30 V (c,d,g and h) and 20 V (e and f),
during 3600 s.

have reported obtaining ZnO nanowires by anodization, with a bandgap 3.19 eV) for ZnO nanowires obtained by electrochemical anodization of
value of 3.5 eV, using an electrolytic medium of C2H5OH + KHCO3 [26]. a zinc film, using several electrolytic media (Table 1) [24,26,30-35].
While Mateen et al. and Alsultany et al. have reported obtaining ZnO
nanowires, using a KHCO3 based electrolytic medium, with bandgap 3.6. Photocurrent density of the ZnO nanowires
values of 3.19 and 3.27 eV respectively, also by electrochemical anod­
ization [13,33]. Therefore, our bandgap values obtained are very close Fig. 6 shows the photocurrent profile j/E corresponding to ZnO
to the lower limit of the range reported in the scientific literature (Eg > nanowires anodized at 10 ◦ C, with a voltage of 30 V, for 3600 s and

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A. Tello et al. Chemical Physics Letters 778 (2021) 138825

Fig. 3. TEM micrographs light field (a,c and e) and dark field (b,d and f) of anodized ZnO nanowires in an electrolyte solution based on ethylene glycol and F- ions, at
a temperature of 10 ◦ C, with a voltage of 30 V and for 3600 s.

obtained with or without the presence of continuous illumination. A a higher rate than without light irradiation. This generates a reduction of
maximum photocurrent density of 436 µA cm− 2 is observed for the ZnO the electron depletion region of the surface, which in turn results in
nanowires without illumination (see Fig. 6, black line), while in the higher photoconductivity [44].
presence of continuous illumination the photocurrent density increases Based on the results presented in this research, the obtained ZnO
considerably to a maximum value of 1698 µA cm− 2 (see Fig. 6, red line). nanowires can be classified as a material with potential characteristics
This increase of the photocurrent density in the curve is attributed to a for obtaining photoelectrodes that can be used in various applications,
higher separation effectiveness of the charge carriers and lower energy such as: photoelectrochemical, photocatalytic, degradation of pollutants
losses, due to the fact that when the ZnO nanowires are illuminated, in aqueous media and in water photolysis [21,28,32,33].
photoholes are created by electron excitation from the valence to the
conductive semiconductor bands, these are driven to the interface be­ 4. Conclusions
tween the working electrode and the electrolyte, being finally trans­
ferred to the electrolyte solution [43]. In addition, it has been previously The results obtained in this work inform the obtaining of ZnO
reported in the literature that for ZnO nanowires the oxygen vacancies nanostructures by means of electrochemical anodization using an elec­
are mainly in the vicinity of the surfaces and that irradiation with light trolyte based mainly on ethylene glycol and F- ions. The homogeneity
energy causes weakly bound oxygens to be desorbed from the surface at and morphology of the nanostructures vary depending on the synthesis

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A. Tello et al. Chemical Physics Letters 778 (2021) 138825

Fig. 4. a) Raman spectra of ZnO nanowires obtained by electrochemical anodization in an electrolytic solution based on ethylene glycol and F- ions, at a temperature
of 10 ◦ C, with voltages of: 40 V (blue line), 30 V (black line) and 20 V (red line), for 3600 s. b) XRD diffraction pattern of synthesized ZnO nanowires using the same
electrolytic solution at 10 ◦ C, with a voltage of 30 V, for 3600 s.

Fig. 5. a) Diffuse reflectance spectrum and b) bandgap estimation by the Kubelka-Munk method of anodized ZnO nanowires in an electrolytic solution based on
ethylene glycol and F- ions, at a temperature of 10 ◦ C, with voltages of: 40 V (blue line), 30 V (black line) and 20 V (red line), for 3600 s.

Table 1
Morphologies and Band gap of ZnO nanostructures reported in the literature,
obtained by electrochemical anodization using various types of electrolytes.
Electrolyte (aqueous solution) Morphology Band gap References
(eV)

NaOH + NH4F + H2O + C2H6O2 Nanowire [3.19–3.22] Present


study
H2O, NaOH, H2C2O4 or CH3OH + Nanoporous [3.10–3.87] [20-24]
HF
C2H5OH + H2SO4, C2H5OH + Nanoflakes — [25-28]
H3PO4, (NH4)2SO4 or (NH4)2SO4
+ NaOH
NaOH, C2H5OH + NaOH, C2H5OH Nanoflowers ~3.50 [24,26,27]
+ H2C2O4, CH3OH + HCl,
C2H5OH + HNO3 or C2H5OH +
HF
(NH4)2SO4 or (NH4)2SO4 + NH4Cl Nanosheets — [29]
KHCO3, NaHCO3, NH4CO3, NH4F, Nanowire [3.19–3.50] [24,26,30-
C2H5OH + KHCO3, CH3OH + HF 35]
or HF
Fig. 6. Photocurrent profile j / E for ZnO nanowires anodized at 10 ◦ C, with a
voltage of 30 V, for 3600 s and obtained with or without the presence of
continuous illumination.

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