Fabrication of Zn/ZnS nanocable heterostructures by thermal reduction/sulfidation

Single-crystalline Zn/ZnS coaxial nanocables were fabricated through thermal reduction of ZnS using graphite powder at elevated temperatures. Energy dispersive x-ray analysis of the as-fabricated samples indicated that the nanowires were composed of Zn and S only. Transmission-electron-microscopic study of the nanowires revealed that they had core/sheath contrast, suggesting a Zn core/ZnS sheath heterostructure. Epitaxial relationship was observed between the Zn and the ZnS. The possible formation mechanisms of such nanocables are discussed. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.