Directed photoluminescent emission of ZnO tetrapods on biotemplated Al ₂O₃

In this work biomorphic Al₂O₃ with microcellular morphology was produced by biotemplating of rattan and coating with ZnO tetrapods (T-ZnO). The morphological features of the biomorphic ceramics were evaluated, as well as the photoluminescent properties of the final device. The T-ZnO-coated microvessels of rattan metaxylem acted as structural guides for the directional travel of light. Therefore, the intensity of the green emission was controlled through orientation of the device with respect to the microvessels axis. Microcellular ceramics coated with functional materials such as ZnO can be used to design novel optoelectronic sensing devices in applications that require control of the emitted luminescence signal.