Uniform, thin and continuous graphitic carbon tubular coatings on CdS nanowires

Abstract

A simple, efficient and unique method has been developed for coating uniform, thin and continuous graphitic carbon shields (or carbon nanotubes) on CdS nanowires. As-coated CdS nanowires have a diameter of ∼80–200 nm and a length ranging from several to tens of microns, and graphitic carbon shields are as thin as several nanometers. Both CdS nanowires and carbon shields are highly crystalline and uniformly structured. Cathodoluminescence spectra reveal that the intra-tube CdS nanowires have one intense emission at ∼522 nm and a weak emission at ∼496 nm. It is expected that the graphite-layered shields would effectively act as chemically and electrically stable protecting layers enhancing the stability of CdS nanowires in harsh environments and thus improving their performances in optical and optoelectronic devices.