Structural, vibrational and luminescence properties of longitudinal twinning Zn2GeO4nanowires

Abstract

Longitudinal twinning Zn₂GeO₄ nanowires, with diameters from several tens of nanometers to 200–300 nm along the growth orientation and lengths of several tens of micrometers, were successfully synthesized by a simple thermal evaporation method. A distinct twin plane of (101) was observed from the twinning Zn₂GeO₄ nanowires. Zn₂GeO₄ nanowires in both sides of the twinning nanowires are single crystalline, with a rhombohedral crystal phase, and grow along the [21] direction. The angle between the (300) plane (or (300)_t plane) and the twin plane is identified with the results of the SAED pattern and the atomic model. A possible growth mechanism for longitudinal twinning Zn₂GeO₄ nanowires was proposed. The vibrating and luminescence properties of the twinning Zn₂GeO₄ nanowire were investigated by Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy at room temperature.