Effects of TiOx seeding layer upon the growth and light emission properties of ZnO nanowires

► Vertical ZnO NWs arrays were prepared on TiOx seed layers via hydrothermal method. ► TiOx seeds layers can improve the crystallinity and orientation of ZnO NWs arrays. ► The photoluminescence spectra of ZnO NWs grown on the 1 nm TiOx seed layer exhibit enhanced UV emission. ► The visible emissions are also enhanced, due to the TiOx having great number of structural defects.