Low temperature solution-synthesis and photoluminescence properties of ZnO nanowires

A general and simple approach has been developed to prepare zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires from commercially available zinc acetate precursors using a solution-phase reaction. The influence of post-annealing temperature on the morphology of the zinc oxides nanowires was also investigated. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies, we confirm that the ZnO nanowires are highly crystalline in nature with preferential orientation in the c-axis direction, with nanowire diameters of around 30–60 nm. The photoluminescence (PL) studies demonstrate a strong UV luminescence band around 382 nm, and three weak, broad bands at 454, 468, and 510 nm, respectively, in the blue and green range. After being annealed under an air atmosphere, the products show an apparent red-shift in the UV emission band. The intensity of the defect-related emission bands was significantly suppressed.