Enhanced Photolumincence and Electrochemical Performance of ZnO/ZnS Coaxial Nanocables

ZnO based sulfide coaxial nanocables have been prepared by a two-step hydrothermal approach for the investigation of lithium storage capacity. The as-prepared ZnO/ZnS structures are analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photospectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL) and by electrochemical work station. It has been found that these nanostructures demonstrate higher initial discharge capacity of 1096 mAhg/sup -1/ with a 69 percent coulombic efficiency at a rate of 120 mAhg/sup -1/ between 2 to 0.02 V. In addition, ZnO/ZnS structures show a significantly improved photoluminescence performance as compare with pure ZnO NWs. The enhanced lithium storage capacity and PL performance is ascribed to the coaxial structure of both materials. (author)