Annealing-Driven Modifications in ZnO Nanorod Thin Films and Their Impact on NO<sub>2</sub> Sensing Performance

This research examines the effect of annealing temperature on the growth orientation of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods and its subsequent influence on NO<sub data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">2</sub> gas sensing efficiency. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods were synthesized using the chemi...

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Main Authors: Sandip M. Nikam, Tanaji S. Patil, Nilam A. Nimbalkar, Raviraj S. Kamble, Vandana R. Patil, Uttam E. Mote, Sadaf Jamal Gilani, Sagar M. Mane, Jaewoong Lee, Ravindra D. Mane
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Micromachines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/7/778
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author Sandip M. Nikam
Tanaji S. Patil
Nilam A. Nimbalkar
Raviraj S. Kamble
Vandana R. Patil
Uttam E. Mote
Sadaf Jamal Gilani
Sagar M. Mane
Jaewoong Lee
Ravindra D. Mane
author_facet Sandip M. Nikam
Tanaji S. Patil
Nilam A. Nimbalkar
Raviraj S. Kamble
Vandana R. Patil
Uttam E. Mote
Sadaf Jamal Gilani
Sagar M. Mane
Jaewoong Lee
Ravindra D. Mane
author_sort Sandip M. Nikam
collection DOAJ
description This research examines the effect of annealing temperature on the growth orientation of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods and its subsequent influence on NO<sub data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">2</sub> gas sensing efficiency. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods were synthesized using the chemical bath deposition method, followed by annealing at 300, 400, and 500 °C. Diffraction analysis confirmed that both non-annealed and annealed ZnO nanorods crystallize in a hexagonal wurtzite structure. However, increasing the annealing temperature shifts the growth orientation from the c-axis (002) toward the (100) and (101) directions. Microscopy images (FE-SEM) revealed a reduction in nanorod diameter as the annealing temperature increases. Optical characterization using UV–visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy indicated shifts in the band gap energy and emission properties. Contact angle measurements demonstrated the hydrophobic nature of the films. Gas sensing tests at 200 °C revealed that the ZnO thin film annealed at 400 °C achieved the highest NO<sub data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">2</sub> response of 5.88%. The study highlights the critical role of annealing in modifying the crystallinity, growth orientation, and defect states of ZnO thin films, ultimately enhancing their NO<sub data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">2</sub> detection capability.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2072-666X
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Micromachines
spelling doaj-art-3f933c61ab2d4695bfced890a0e075a82025-08-20T03:36:12ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2025-06-0116777810.3390/mi16070778Annealing-Driven Modifications in ZnO Nanorod Thin Films and Their Impact on NO<sub>2</sub> Sensing PerformanceSandip M. Nikam0Tanaji S. Patil1Nilam A. Nimbalkar2Raviraj S. Kamble3Vandana R. Patil4Uttam E. Mote5Sadaf Jamal Gilani6Sagar M. Mane7Jaewoong Lee8Ravindra D. Mane9Department of Physics, Jaysingpur College, Jaysingpur, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416101, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Physics, Bhogawati Mahavidyalaya, Kurukali, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416001, Maharashtra, IndiaSharad Institute of Technology, Polytechnic, Yadrav, Ichalkaranji 416121, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Chemistry, Bhogawati Mahavidyalaya, Kurukali, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416001, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Chemistry, Bhogawati Mahavidyalaya, Kurukali, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416001, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Physics, Shrimant Babasaheb Deshmukh Mahavidyalaya, Atpadi, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 415301, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Fiber System Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongbuk, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Fiber System Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongbuk, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Physics, Jaysingpur College, Jaysingpur, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416101, Maharashtra, IndiaThis research examines the effect of annealing temperature on the growth orientation of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods and its subsequent influence on NO<sub data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">2</sub> gas sensing efficiency. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods were synthesized using the chemical bath deposition method, followed by annealing at 300, 400, and 500 °C. Diffraction analysis confirmed that both non-annealed and annealed ZnO nanorods crystallize in a hexagonal wurtzite structure. However, increasing the annealing temperature shifts the growth orientation from the c-axis (002) toward the (100) and (101) directions. Microscopy images (FE-SEM) revealed a reduction in nanorod diameter as the annealing temperature increases. Optical characterization using UV–visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy indicated shifts in the band gap energy and emission properties. Contact angle measurements demonstrated the hydrophobic nature of the films. Gas sensing tests at 200 °C revealed that the ZnO thin film annealed at 400 °C achieved the highest NO<sub data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">2</sub> response of 5.88%. The study highlights the critical role of annealing in modifying the crystallinity, growth orientation, and defect states of ZnO thin films, ultimately enhancing their NO<sub data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">2</sub> detection capability.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/7/778ZnO nanorod arrayannealing temperature variationgrowth orientationNO<sub>2</sub> sensor
spellingShingle Sandip M. Nikam
Tanaji S. Patil
Nilam A. Nimbalkar
Raviraj S. Kamble
Vandana R. Patil
Uttam E. Mote
Sadaf Jamal Gilani
Sagar M. Mane
Jaewoong Lee
Ravindra D. Mane
Annealing-Driven Modifications in ZnO Nanorod Thin Films and Their Impact on NO<sub>2</sub> Sensing Performance
Micromachines
ZnO nanorod array
annealing temperature variation
growth orientation
NO<sub>2</sub> sensor
title Annealing-Driven Modifications in ZnO Nanorod Thin Films and Their Impact on NO<sub>2</sub> Sensing Performance
title_full Annealing-Driven Modifications in ZnO Nanorod Thin Films and Their Impact on NO<sub>2</sub> Sensing Performance
title_fullStr Annealing-Driven Modifications in ZnO Nanorod Thin Films and Their Impact on NO<sub>2</sub> Sensing Performance
title_full_unstemmed Annealing-Driven Modifications in ZnO Nanorod Thin Films and Their Impact on NO<sub>2</sub> Sensing Performance
title_short Annealing-Driven Modifications in ZnO Nanorod Thin Films and Their Impact on NO<sub>2</sub> Sensing Performance
title_sort annealing driven modifications in zno nanorod thin films and their impact on no sub 2 sub sensing performance
topic ZnO nanorod array
annealing temperature variation
growth orientation
NO<sub>2</sub> sensor
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/7/778
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