Coating of MgO nanorods with protective layers: Sputtering with a Si target, structure, and photoluminescence properties

We have synthesized MgO/SiOx core-shell nanorods by employing a sputtering technique with a Si target, for sheathing the MgO nanorods. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The SiOx shell was close to amorphous, whereas the MgO core was crystalline with a cubic structure. The shape and peak positions of the PL spectrum were not changed by the coating.