Enhanced room temperature exciton photoluminescence of plasma hydrogenated ZnO nanocolumns

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocolumns have interesting material properties such as the direct band gap, tunable electrical conductivity, high optical transparency, high thermal conductivity, and large surface to volume ratio. Here we present the latest results on the enhancement of the infrared optical absorptance and ultraviolet photoluminescence in ZnO nanocolumns after hydrogen plasma treatment. The photoluminescence in near UV region at 378 nm has been significantly enhanced by hydrogen plasma treatment at roo temperature whereas the defect related yellow photoluminescence (broad band 550–650 nm) decreased.