Fabrication and characteristics of SiO_x ‐core nanowires: Comparison study between uncoated and ZnO‐coated SiO_x nanowires

Abstract

We have demonstrated an approach to the synthesis of SiOx ‐core nanowires, on which ZnO shell layer would be subsequently deposited. We have discussed the possible growth mechanism of SiOx nanowires, in regard to the role of Au catalyst. For a comparison study between uncoated and coated nanowires, samples were characterized by X‐ray dif‐ fraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). This method can be applied to a wide range of materials and results in various heterostructures, which may serve as potential building blocks in various nanodevices. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Active-oxidation of Si as the source of vapor-phase reactants in the growth of SiOx nanowires on Si

“…Of particular relevance to the present study is the fact that recent reports have shown that dense arrays of SiO x NWs can be grown by a relatively simple technique that requires no toxic gas source, such as silane. [10][11][12][13][14] Instead, nanowire growth is achieved by depositing a thin metal film on Si and annealing the resulting heterostructure to temperatures close to 1100°C in a high purity Ar or N 2 purging ambient. In this case the NW growth process has been attributed to a vapor-liquid-solid ͑VLS͒ mechanism as first described by Wagner and Ellis 15 but the source of the Si and O gas-phase reactants has been mostly speculative.…”

Fabrication of coaxial nanowire heterostructures: SiO x nanowires with conformal TiO2 coatings

“…This method eliminates the need for a gaseous precursor and can be used to grow dense networks of SiO x NWs. These NW networks have large a surfaceto-volume fraction, excellent mechanical strength, and can readily be functionalised by doping [12,13] or coating [14] with secondary materials for a range of applications. In this study we show that these NWs can also be readily coated with TiO 2 to produce high-surface area TiO 2 nanostructures with either the anatase or rutile structure.…”