Mechanical and electrical characterization of semiconducting ZnO nanorings by direct nano-manipulation

With assistance from a nano-manipulator system inside a scanning electron microscope chamber, mechanical and electrical properties of ZnO nanorings were investigated. The change of a fractured nanoring to nearly straight nanobelts was strong evidence to support the previously proposed electrostatic-force-induced self-coiling model, and our computational simulation results indicated the fracture force was 25–30 μN. The contact between a tungsten tip of the manipulator and a ZnO nanoring was confirmed as the Schottky type; therefore, the change of I–V curves of the nanoring under compression was attributed to the Schottky barrier height changes.