LAUSR

Abstract Sn-doped NiO microwires with tailored structure of defects, optical properties and waveguiding behaviour were fabricated by a one-step vapor-solid method. The presence of metallic Sn or SnO2 in the precursor mixture favours the formation of elongated microstructures with singular morphologies. This geometry, not explored so far, provides an increased surface to volume ratio and a characteristic morphology, which is of potential interest in a wide range of surface properties and optoelectronic functionalities. In this work, the structural, compositional, electronic and optical properties of the microwires have been analyzed as a function of Sn precursor. Depending on the employed Sn precursor, the optical properties such as their luminescence or waveguiding behaviour can be tailored. In some of the analysed microwires a red laser can be guided along the microstructure. This behaviour has not been previously reported for NiO so far, hence increasing the functionality and applicability of this material.