Synthesis of ZnO nanotube arrays and heterostructures of Cu-ZnO coaxial nanotubes by electrodeposition-oxidation method.

Semiconductor ZnO nanotube arrays and heterostructures of Cu-ZnO coaxial nanotubes have been synthesized by electrodeposition into porous anodic alumina membranes and subsequent oxidation. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy indicate that the ZnO nanotubular arrays and Cu-ZnO coaxial nanotubular arrays are of large-area and highly ordered. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the nanotubes are polycrystalline. Photoluminescence spectra of the Cu-ZnO nanotubes show that a violet peak, a blue peak and a green peak are centered at 422 nm, 480 nm and 537 nm, respectively. The ordered ZnO nanotube arrays and heterostructures of Cu-ZnO coaxial nanotubes may have promising potential applications in nanodevices.