Effect of various morphologies and dopants on piezoelectric and detection properties of ZnO at the nanoscale: a review

摘要

Abstract Zinc oxide as a nanomaterial has proven to be a powerful technology in the fields of engineering and medicine, where it has an array of applications. It is environment-friendly, cost-effective, and biocompatible and thus proves to be a better alternative than other existing materials. ZnO nanoparticles have many physical applications in various sensing and regulating devices due to their highly tunable morphological and electrical properties. Out of the many physical properties that ZnO NPs possess, the current review focuses only on their piezoelectric properties and draws a comparison between different dopants and morphological modifications on the piezo-response of ZnO. Over the last few years, there has been a rapid shift toward using NPs for various biomedical applications which includes delivery of a drug, photoablation therapy, bioimaging, and biosensing. Due to the unique structure of ZnO, its low toxicity and ability to produce a good amount of reactive oxygen species, it has scope for numerous applications in the biomedical field. The data obtained for different analytes and their detection using doped ZnO NPs clearly indicate their efficacy in the biomedical fields. ZnO NPs prepared via green synthesis, i.e., by using phytochemicals, are eco-friendly and produce better results. Green synthesis of ZnO NPs has also resolved the issue of using non-recyclable or non-degradable raw materials and synthesis of toxic by-products.