title: Silica-sheathed pyrrotite nanowires: Synthesis and mechanism.
abstract: We have studied the growth of silica-sheathed 3C-Fe7S8 products on silicon substrates with FeCl2 and sulfur precursors at the temperature region of 600-800 degrees C. On the basis of the crystal structure of Fe7S8, we have proposed a model including the kinetic competition of the adsorption of silica species on Fe2-Fe3-Fe4 units at the 4Fe layer and on the Fe2-Fe3-Fe4-Fe5 units parallel to the c-axis. Using this model, we have not only explained all the experimental phenomena but also especially prepared Fe7S8 nanowires at 650 degrees C by introducing water into the reaction system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The Key Laboratory of Atomic and Molecular Nanoscience (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, National Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hao-Xu
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jian-Ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Da-Peng
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Ya-Dong
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Li