Non-catalytic and template-free growth of single crystalline copper vanadate nanowires for field emission applications

► Single crystalline CuV2O6 nanowires were grown on Si by simple thermal annealing. ► Growth temperature play a vital role in controlling phase and diameter of nanowires. ► Field emission current density 1.2 mA cm−2 with a turn-on field of 1.2 V μm−1 obtained.