Piezoelectric and Photoconductive Zinc Oxide-Wood Hybrids Obtained by Atomic Layer Deposition
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2025-04-22
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Journal Article
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Abstract
The development of sustainable functional wood-based materials for advanced photonic, optical, and energy-harvesting applications is a topic of great priority and scientific interest. Owing to its inherent piezoactivity and photoconductivity, zinc oxide (ZnO) can be of help for all these applications. While previously used for wood-based piezoelectric nanogenerators, its use for enabling wood with photoconductive properties has not yet been demonstrated. Here, we introduce an innovative method to produce ZnO-wood hybrids based on atomic layer deposition (ALD), a technique so far underrepresented in the field of wood functionalization. By a studied combination of ALD, customized sample geometry, structure-retaining delignification, and careful selection of the drying method, we obtained a homogeneous functionalization of a bulk wood scaffold with layers of nanocrystalline ZnO. This approach allowed us to achieve control over the homogeneity, distribution, and coating thickness of the oxide layer. The micro- and nanostructure of the resulting hybrids were investigated by electron microscopy as well as by X-ray diffraction and scattering. The ZnO-wood hybrids show an anisotropic piezoelectric response due to the natural structure of the wood. Moreover, we demonstrate the use of ZnO-functionalized wood for the fabrication of bulk (photo)conductive wood. Upon irradiation with UV light, a significant decrease in resistivity is observed, which increases again upon removal of UV light. Finally, we used the hybrids to fabricate a ZnO-wood replica by thermal removal of the cellulose scaffold. This treatment leaves behind a detailed inorganic wood replica down to the smallest open accessible features such as micrometer-sized wood pits.
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published
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Journal / series
Volume
19 (15)
Pages / Article No.
15161 - 15170
Publisher
American Chemical Society
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Subject
atomic layer deposition; inorganic-organichybrids; photoconductivity; piezoelectricity; cellulose
Organisational unit
03917 - Burgert, Ingo / Burgert, Ingo
Notes
Funding
184821 - Hierarchical cellulose scaffolds for structural and functional gradient materials (SNF)