Intra-shell luminescence of transition-metal-implanted zinc oxide nanowires

Zinc oxide nanowires were grown by vapor transport using the vapor-liquid-solid growth mechanism. The zinc oxide nanowires were implanted with transition metals (Co, Fe or Ni) and subsequently annealed in air at 700 degrees C for 30 min. Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy measurements reveal a successful incorporation of the desired transition metals. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of implanted and annealed zinc oxide nanowires shows a strongly damaged zinc oxide lattice but no formation of transition metal-rich secondary phases. The as-grown nanowires show a strong and intensive near-band edge emission and a moderately structured green luminescence band. After ion implantation, the structured green luminescence band increases in intensity and new sharp luminescence lines appear in the red luminescence region. Those sharp transitions are due to intra-shell 3d transitions of iron and cobalt in the corresponding Fe- and Co-doped ZnO samples.