Synthesis, characterization, and photoluminescence of zinc oxide ultra-thin nanowires

Ultra-thin Zinc oxide nanowires were prepared by a simple thermal evaporation method using a suitable amount of lead sulfide as an additive. It has been found that the nanowires are single crystalline of zincate grown along [1 0 1] direction. The transmission electron microscopy images show that nanowires consist of smooth ultra-thin cantilever-like with a diameter in the range of 10-20 nanometer (nm) and length of few microns. At room temperature, the photoluminescence spectra exhibit unusual strong broad peaks extending from the visible to near infrared (similar to 500-800 nm). The synthesized nanowires can serve as a novel platform for electrochemical and nano-biomolecular applications.