Synthesis and photoluminescence of single-crystalline In2O3 nanowires

Single-crystalline In2O3 nanowires have been successfully synthesized from indium grains by a vapor-solid method at 1030 degreesC in 90% Ar and 10% O-2 atmosphere. These nanowires are uniform with diameters of 40-120 nm and lengths of about 15-25 mum, and crystallize in a cubic structure. The growth of these nanowires is controlled by a spiral growth mechanism. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements show a green-blue PL band in the wavelength range of 400-700 nm with a peak at 470 nm (2.64 eV), caused by oxygen vacancies in the In2O3 nanowires.