Simple solvothermal route to synthesize S-doped ZnO nanonails and ZnS/ZnO core/shell nanorods

A simple solvothermal route was successfully utilized to fabricate S-doped ZnO nanonails with a hexagonal cap followed by a comparatively thin long needle shaped stem portion. Diameters of the hexagonal caps varied within 10–25 nm and lengths of the stem portions varied within 50–80 nm. These nanonails were found to exhibit intense green light emission property at room temperature. Similar synthesis protocol was employed to fabricate ZnS/ZnO core/shell nanorods by suitably tailoring the concentration of the sulfur source in the synthesis environment.