Low-temperature synthesis and photoluminescence properties of oriented ZnAl2O4 nanowire arrays

Abstract

Using zinc nitrate and anodic aluminum oxide membrane as starting materials, oriented nanowire arrays of the spinel ZnAl2O4 have been successfully fabricated at a relative low temperature of 350 °C by the proposed simple and facile “MID” method, which exploits the membrane as a reactive template. The elaborative investigations by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy demonstrate that the sample not only crystalizes well but also exhibits continuous nanowire morphology with a high-aspect-ratio. A discussion of the possible mechanism based on the Kirkendall effect for the formation of the oriented ZnAl2O4 nanowire arrays is also given. Photoluminescence measurement of the oriented ZnAl2O4 nanowire arrays presents a strong green emission centered at about 500 nm at room temperature. Such supported ZnAl2O4 nanowire arrays may have advantages in different applications.