title: Synthesis and characterization of silicon nanowires on mesophase carbon microbead substrates by chemical vapor deposition.
abstract: Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) have been fabricated by chemical vapor deposition at ambient pressure using SiCl(4) as a silicon source and mesophase carbon microbead powder as a substrate without any templates and/or metal catalysts. The SiNWs have a crystalline core with a very thin amorphous SiO(x) sheath. The obtained SiNWs are homogeneous with average diameters below 50 nm and lengths up to micrometers. Temperature and time effects on the growth of SiNWs were systematically studied. Higher reaction temperatures and longer reaction times resulted in larger diameters and higher yields of SiNWs. SiNWs with a better crystallinity can be obtained at higher temperatures and longer reaction times. The obtained SiNWs were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials Science, U-3136, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA.
authors.forename: Wei-Na
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yun-Shuang
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Jikang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Sinue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Suib
authors.forename: Francis S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Galasso
authors.forename: Joe F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Dicarlo