Proton dynamics in ZnO nanorods quantified by in situ solid-state H1 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

In situ solid-state H1 NMR spectroscopy was employed to investigate the local chemical environments and dynamic details of protons in ZnO nanorods. The mean correlation time for the 4.8ppm resonance was found to be ∼2.1×10−10s at 500K and the activation energy for proton hopping was ∼0.15eV. Both the small activation energy and short correlation time suggest that the protons are mobile. In contrast to nanometer micrometer particles of ZnO, γ-Al2O3, and CeO2, a stable resonance at 4.8ppm indicates that these proton species are most likely associated with the defect sites in the lattice of ZnO nanorods.