Simple approach to highly oriented ZnO nanowire arrays: large-scale growth, photoluminescence and photocatalytic properties

A simple and low-cost soft route has been developed to the direct large-scale production of highly oriented ZnO nanowire arrays at 60 °C. It has been found that the growth of well-aligned ZnO nanowire arrays is dependent on several parameters, such as the reaction time and the concentration of ammonium ions. The environmentally benign ZnO nanowires obtained, with significant photoluminescence property and interesting photocatalytic activity, are single crystals and have a low defect concentration, which could be expected to find promising potential for optoelectronic and environmental application.