Microwave-assisted aqueous synthesis of ultralong ZnO nanowires: photoluminescence and photovoltaic performance for dye-sensitized solar cell

Ultralong ZnO nanowires were successfully prepared on a large scale by a microwave-assisted aqueous route without using any surfactant or template at relatively low temperature of 120A degrees C. The obtained nanowires were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDX). The growth mechanism and photoluminescence of the one-dimensional nanostructure, and photovoltaic performances for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) of the nanowires were discussed in detail.