Influence of Refresh Hydrothermally Grown ZnO Nanorods for Vibration Sensing Application

Abstract

This research report investigates the effect of fabrication methodology in the sensitivity performance of the ZnO (Zinc Oxide)-based piezoelectric vibration sensor. For that, two types of synthesising techniques, namely, normal hydrothermal (H) method and refresh hydrothermal (R) methods were used for the growth of ZnO nanorods on rigid substrates. Insights into the structural and morphological properties of the active layer (ZnO) evidence the formation of hexagonal ZnO wurtzite structure and growth of 1D nanorods in both the samples. Optical analysis reveals a decreased bandgap and better crystal quality of the refresh hydrothermal method compared to the normal hydrothermal method. Electrical analysis confirms the formation of a p-n junction in both the devices. The fabricated vibration sensors were subjected to a vibration sensing experiment where a max output voltage of 2.52 V at 9 Hz resonant frequency was recorded for the R sensor. The sensitivity of the R sensor was ∼3.54V/g which is 11% times higher than that of H.

Keywords:

• Acceleration
• Hydrothermal
• Nanorods
• Vibration sensor
• ZnO

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gunasekaran Iyappan

G Iyappan is a research scholar pursuing his PhD in technology at Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering Channai, India. He obtained his under-graduation (BE) in electronics and communication engineering from CSI College of Engineering, Ooty, India. He then pursued his post-graduation (MTech) in nanoscience and Technology at Anna University Regional Centre, Coimbatore, India. His areas of interest include crystal growth for NLO applications and synthesis of nanostructures for piezoelectric applications.

Rajamanickam Govindaraj

R Govindaraj has been an assistant professor in the Department of Physics at Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Chennai, India, since 2018. He has completed his under graduation (BSc Physics) and post-graduation (MSc Physics) from Periyar University, Salem, India. He then obtained his PhD from Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, affiliated to Anna University, Chennai, India, in 2018. His areas of interest include solar cells, nanomaterials and crystal growth. Email: [email protected]

Perumalsamy Ramasamy

P Ramasamy, Dean (Research), Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Chennai, obtained his PhD from the University of Madras in 1976 and received Governor–Chancellor Gold medal for the best PhD thesis in that year. He was a faculty member at Anna University from 1973 to 2003, founder director of Crystal Growth Centre, Anna University and vice chancellor of Algappa University from 1994 to 1997. Email: [email protected]

Ramany Kiruthika

R Kiruthika is a research scholar pursuing her PhD in electronics and communication engineering at Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering. She has graduated (BTech) in electronics and communication engineering from RGCET, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, India. She then post-graduated (ME) in VLSI design from Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Anna University, Chennai, India. Her interests and current area of research include ZnO-based gas sensors, nanogenerators and accelerometers. Email: [email protected]

Shankararajan Radha

S Radha, professor and head, Department of ECE, has 28 years of teaching and 20 years of research experience in the area of wireless networks. She graduated from Madurai Kamaraj University, in electronics and communication engineering in the year 1989. She obtained her master's degree in applied electronics with first rank from Government College of Technology, Coimbatore and a PhD degree from the College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University, Chennai. Email: [email protected]