In situ mechanical testing of nanostructured zinc oxide thin films

Zinc oxide is a well know semiconducting metal oxide with a high electron mobility, wide band gap and large exciton binding energy. Due to its beneficial properties and the vast array of physical and chemical deposition methods that can be used for deriving various nanostructured forms it has been applied in solar cells, sensors, photocatalysis, electronics, etc. Here we prepared ZnO in the form of thin film with vertically ordered nanorods by a simple chemical method on different substrates firstly with the aim to elucidate the effect of synthesis and deposition conditions on their mechanical properties. Secondly, the influence of the type of substrate on their mechanical properties was investigated. Shedding more light on both aspects is crucial for further applications. To establish that, we used advanced microscopy (SEM) in combination with in situ mechanical testing in combination with nanoindenation. Samples were additionally characterized by XRD, AFM, KPFM and bending tests. Sample preparation was aided by use of focused ion dual beam microscope equipped with a femtosecond laser system. Obtained results were used to quantify the mechanical properties and failures such as cracks, which will enable us to optimize the synthesis and mitigate such events for further applications in flexible solar cells or gas sensors. Zinc oxide is a well know semiconducting metal oxide with a high electron mobility, wide band gap and large exciton binding energy. Due to its beneficial properties and the vast array of physical and chemical deposition methods that can be used for deriving various nanostructured forms it has been applied in solar cells, sensors, photocatalysis, electronics, etc. Here we prepared ZnO in the form of thin film with vertically ordered nanorods by a simple chemical method on different substrates firstly with the aim to elucidate the effect of synthesis and deposition conditions on their mechanical properties. Secondly, the influence of the type of substrate on their mechanical properties was investigated. Shedding more light on both aspects is crucial for further applications. To establish that, we used advanced microscopy (SEM) in combination with in situ mechanical testing in combination with nanoindenation. Samples were additionally characterized by XRD, AFM, KPFM and bending tests. Sample preparation was aided by use of focused ion dual beam microscope equipped with a femtosecond laser system. Obtained results were used to quantify the mechanical properties and failures such as cracks, which will enable us to optimize the synthesis and mitigate such events for further applications in flexible solar cells or gas sensors.