Composite nanowires with MgO/ZnO core–sheath structures: Study of thin ZnO shell layers Original Research Article

Coaxial nanowires of magnesium oxide (MgO) core with zinc oxide (ZnO) shells were synthesized with the assistance of atomic layer deposition method. The diameters of these composite nanowires varied from 50 to 110 nm, with sheath thickness in the range of 15–25 nm. The sheath layer comprised a hexagonal ZnO phase. We found that the overall shape and peak positions of PL emission spectrum were almost unchanged by the sheath coating with a thin enough ZnO layer.