Synthesis and optical properties of S-doped ZnO nanorotors

We have synthesized S-doped ZnO six-fold nanorotors through a one-step catalyst-free process during thermal evaporation and condensation method. These nanorotors were synthesized at atmospheric pressure by using a mixture of ZnO and FeS powders as starting material. Optimum selectivity and maximum nanorotors were obtained for growth temperatures in the range of 400-425degC. Each nanorotor consisted of a core nanowire with side branches emanating from it. Nanobelts and nanobelts with three-dimensional nanostructures were also obtained in our experiments at different growth temperatures. The photoluminescence spectrum of the synthesized nanorotors showed the visible emission peaks at 478 nm (blue peak) and 508 nm (green peak) with no detectable UV peak. This stronger visible emission in the synthesized nanorotors might be useful as a future UV-excited phosphor for producing bright and broad band visible light.