Functionalization of ZnO nanorods with γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles: Layer-by-layer synthesis, optical and magnetic properties

Bifunctional magnetic-optical ZnO-γ-Fe2O3 hybrid nanomaterials have been synthesized via a layer-by-layer assembly technique on ZnO nanorod templates. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, field emission scanning electron microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have been used to characterize the as-synthesized products. The photoluminescence spectra indicate that ZnO-γ-Fe2O3 hybrid nanomaterials exhibit enhanced UV emission and passivated defect emission. The magnetic property investigation reveals that ZnO-γ-Fe2O3 hybrid nanomaterials exhibit a superparamagnetic behavior.