Formation of ZnS/SiO2 nanocables.

Nanometer-sized coaxial cables with a single-crystal ZnS core and a thin amorphous SiO2 shell were synthesized by simple thermal evaporation in vacuum. As-fabricated ZnS/SiO2 nanocables were studied using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The ZnS/SiO2 nanocables have diameters of ∼50 nm, lengths of several tens of micrometers, and shell thickness of ∼4 nm. The core of the nanocable has a wurtzite structure with a growth direction along [001]. The nanocables show strong photoluminescence with two peaks related to band gap and defect-related emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]