Improved UV response of ZnO nanotubes by resonant coupling of anchored plasmonic silver nanoparticles

In this study, plasmonic silver (Ag) nanoparticle-(NP) anchored ZnO nanorods (NRs) and nanotube-(NT) based UV photodetectors are demonstrated. Here, Ag NPs are synthesized and anchored by using a room-temperature photochemical method by exposing the precursor solution in UV radiation. In order to achieve a stronger surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and minimum agglomeration, the photochemical method is optimized with a precursor concentration of 5 mmol, a UV intensity of 0.4 mW • cm^-2, and an exposure time of 30 min. An asymmetry around 380 nm in the absorption spectra of the NP solution indicates the presence of plasmonic resonance in that region. Upon anchoring the Ag NPs, ZnO NRs show enhanced band edge emission (380-400 nm) and the emission is further significantly increased in Ag NP-anchored ZnO NTs. The on/off ratio and photoresponse properties of the UV photodetectors are enhanced significantly after anchoring Ag NPs on the ZnO nanostructures. It is believed that the near-field coupling of SPR causes an optical enhancement of ZnO, whereas the bridging effect and hot-electron transfer to the conduction band of ZnO by plasmonic Ag NPs, anchored in close proximity, gives rise to a faster response of the photodetectors.