ZnO-Sn:ZnO Core-Shell Nanowires and ZnO-Zn2SnO4 Comb-Like Nanocomposites

Novel single-crystalline ZnO-Sn:ZnO (SZO) core-shell nanowires and ZnO-Zn2SnO4 (ZTO) comb-like nanocomposites were synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition at a low temperature of 650 degrees C. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy show the diameters and lengths of the core shell nanowires are in ranges of 25 similar to 60 nm and 300 similar to 500 nm, respectively. The atomic ratios of Sn to (Zn + Sn) in the central and shell parts of the nanowire are 0.4 at.% and 6.1 at.%, respectively. The ZnO-ZTO comb-like nanocomposites possess ZnO nanocombs with ZTO nano-layers deposited on both sides of them. The ZnO branches and ZTO layers are single-crystalline wurtzite and spinel structures growing along the [0002] and [(1) over bar(1) over bar1] directions, respectively. Room-temperature cathodoluminescence measurements show the nanocomposites exhibit strong ultraviolet (UV) emissions at 300, 384 nm, and a broad green emission. The novel luminescence shows promising singularity for opto-electronic applications.