Synthesis and Characterization of 1D ZnO NPs Modified with Gold

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, with their precisely tailored morphologies, offer a wealth of advantages. These include low toxicity, exceptional photosensitivity, a high surface area, efficient charge transport, and robust chemical stability, making them versatile across various scientific domains. Meanwhile, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) are known for their remarkable stability, catalytic activity, water solubility, optical sensitivity, and biocompatibility. Among diverse forms of nanomaterials, one-dimensional nanostructures provide an ideal, unobstructed pathway for rapid electron transport. Attaching Au NPs to semiconductor ZnO nanorods or nanowires is a powerful approach to creating chemically functionalized materials with significantly enhanced photoelectrochemical properties. In this study, we introduce straightforward techniques for synthesizing $\mathbf{Z n O} / \mathbf{A u}$ nanohybrids using a range of ZnO nanowires (NWs) and nanorods (NRs). Notably, our method involves directly depositing Au NPs from HAuCl4 solutions onto ZnO NWs and NRs, eliminating the need for additional linking molecules. We propose a simple, room-temperature photo-deposition process for fabricating these $\mathrm{ZnO} / \mathrm{Au}$ nanohybrids. The structural, crystalline, and morphological characteristics of the synthesized ZnO and $\mathrm{ZnO} / \mathrm{Au}$ nanomaterials are comprehensively examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. We also investigate the photoluminescence properties of the $\mathrm{ZnO} / \mathrm{Au}$ nanohybrids. The results of this study pave the way for utilizing one-dimensional $\mathbf{Z n O}$ nanostructures as a promising foundation for developing electrochemical biosensors and photocatalysts, demonstrating their potential in various scientific applications.