Solvothermal synthesis and characterization of one-dimensional CdS nanowires

•High quality wurtzite CdS nanowires are successfully synthesized through a facile solvothermal method.•The BET specific surface area of the as obtained sample is 21.97 m2 g−1.•Room temperature Raman spectrum shows three obviously vibration modes.•Room temperature PL spectrum reveals a strong green emission peak around 524 nm.

One-dimensional single crystal wurtzite phase CdS nanowires were successfully synthesized through a facile solvothermal method. The obtained CdS nanowires were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectrum, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm experiment and photoluminescence spectrum (PL). The SEM and TEM results show that the diameter of the obtained CdS nanowires is about 50 nm and the length is several micrometers, growing along [1 0 0] direction. UV–vis spectrum exhibits a strong absorption peak centered at 486 nm. Raman spectrum shows there are three vibration modes at 300, 600 and 900 cm−1. N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm experiment shows that the BET specific surface area of CdS nanowires is 21.97 m2 g−1. Room temperature photoluminescence spectrum shows the CdS nanowires has one emission band at 524 nm and a shoulder band at 700 nm.