Characteristics of SiOx-cored composite nanowires with Ag shell layers

This paper reports the preparation of Ag-coated SiO_x nanowires and analyzes changes in the structural properties and photoluminescence (PL) spectra induced by a thermal annealing process. The thermal induced changes in the sample morphology, generating Ag nanoparticles on the core of SiO_x nanowires and crystalline structures were affected, facilitating the generation of the Ag₂SiO₃ phase. The overall shape of the PL spectrum was changed significantly by both the Ag-coating and the subsequent thermal annealing. Possible emission mechanisms were discussed. This study gives insight into the annealing process regarding various coaxial one-dimensional materials, particularly with metal shell layers.