Synthesis and characterization of cadmium hydroxide nanowires by arc discharge method in de-ionized water

In this study, Cd(OH)2 nanowires have been synthesized by using arc discharge method in de-ionized water. The morphology and properties of the Cd(OH)2 nanowires were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV–Vis spectroscopy. TEM observations revealed that Cd(OH)2 nanowires were abundant morphology in synthesized nanostructures, and the diameter of the Cd(OH)2 nanowires ranges from 5 to 40 nm with several micrometers of length. In addition, the width of nanowires is not uniform and varies throughout the nanowire. XRD analysis revealed that the Cd(OH)2 nanowires grow along [001] direction. Furthermore, hexagonal- and irregular-shaped Cd(OH)2 nanoplates were synthesized during arc discharge. It was obtained that required arc current is 50 A for the effective and large scale production of Cd(OH)2 nanowires. Furthermore, the optical properties of the nanowires have been characterized by UV–Vis spectra. By the means of the optical studies, the direct band gap of Cd(OH)2 nanowires was found to be 4.0 eV with strong quantum size effect. It is also shown that a simple and cheap method which does not require relatively expensive vacuum and laser equipment stipulates an economical alternative for the synthesis of Cd(OH)2 nanowires.