Al-doped cellulose ZnO hybrid nanocomposite

Cellulose based inorganic-organic hybrid nanocomposite was fabricated by growing ZnO nanorods on a transparent and flexible cellulose film. To improve its electrical and electromechanical properties, Al doping to ZnO was achieved during the ZnO nanorod growing by a hydrothermal synthesis with different ratio of Al and Zn derivative chemicals. As increasing the Al dopant ratio, the morphology changes from nanorod to the nanoplate. The Al dopant ratio also influences the electrical properties of the hybrid nanocomposite. 1.2% of Al/Zn molality ratio is found to be a critical value that changes the morphology and improves the electrical and electromechanical properties. Detail phenomenon and possible mechanism around the critical value of Al/Zn molarity ratio is discussed.