Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of comb-like CdS nanobelt/ZnO nanorod heterostructures

Comb-like CdS nanobelt/ZnO nanorod heterostructures were synthesized by a two-stage method. X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize and analyze the as-synthesized products. The results demonstrate that the CdS nanobelt backbones grow along [2 1 0] and the ZnO nanorod branches epitaxially grow on the (0 0 1) surface of the CdS nanobelt with a growth direction of [0 0 1]. The as-prepared heterostructures exhibit an important feature of single-crystallinity. At room temperature, the comb-like CdS nanobelt/ZnO nanorod heterostructures show strong green emission.

► Comb-like CdS nanobelt/ZnO nanorod heterostructures were synthesized. ► ZnO nanorods epitaxially grew on the (1 0 0) surface of the CdS nanobelts along [1 0 0]. ► A preliminary growth mechanism was proposed.