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 (∼500–800 nm). The synthesized nanowires can serve as a novel platform for electrochemical and nano-biomolecular applications.