Nanostructure sword-like ZnO wires: Rapid synthesis and characterization through a microwave-assisted route

Nanostructure sword-like ZnO wires with diameters of about 80-250 nm and the length of similar to 1-4 mu m have been synthesized by a fast, simple and template-free microwave-assisted method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and room temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurements was used for characterization of the as-prepared products. The nanostructure sword-like ZnO wires have high crystallinity with the average crystallite size of about 53 nm and show a UV emission and a visible green band in their PL spectrum. The possible growth mechanism of the nanostructures along the < 002 > crystallographic direction and subsequent formation of wires were also investigated. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.