Growth of ZnO nanowires catalyzed by size-dependent melting of Au nanoparticles.
We present a general approach to growing ZnO nanowires on arbitrary, high melting point (above 970 degrees C) substrates using the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth mechanism. Our approach utilizes the melting point reduction of sufficiently small (5 nm diameter) Au particles to provide a liquid catalyst without substrate interaction. Using this size-dependent melting effect, we demonstrate catalytic VLS growth of ZnO nanowires on both Ti and Mo foil substrates with aspect ratios in excess of 1000:1. Transmission electron microscopy shows the nanowires to be single-crystalline, and photoluminescence spectra show high-quality optical properties. We believe this growth technique to be widely applicable to a variety of substrates and material systems.
Petersen
Eric W
EW
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Likovich
Edward M
EM
Russell
Kasey J
KJ
Narayanamurti
Venkatesh
V
D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D053770:Nanowires / Q000737:chemistry*; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*
D006046:Gold; D015034:Zinc Oxide