title: Stress-induced domain dynamics and phase transitions in epitaxially grown VO₂ nanowires.
abstract: We demonstrate that surface stresses in epitaxially grown VO₂ nanowires (NWs) have a strong effect on the appearance and stability of intermediate insulating M₂ phases, as well as the spatial distribution of insulating and metallic domains during structural phase transitions. During the transition from an insulating M1 phase to a metallic R phase, the coexistence of insulating M₁ and M₂ phases with the absence of a metallic R phase was observed at atmospheric pressure. In addition, we show that, for a VO₂ NW without the presence of an epitaxial interface, surface stresses dominantly lead to spatially inhomogeneous phase transitions between insulating and metallic phases. In contrast, for a VO₂ NW with the presence of an epitaxial interface, the strong epitaxial interface interaction leads to additional stresses resulting in uniformly alternating insulating and metallic domains along the NW length.
authors.affiliation: Nanoscience Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FF, UK.
authors.forename: Jung Inn
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.forename: Heung Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.forename: Keun Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyoung Woo
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: A-Rang
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Docheon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Hyun Hwi
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: SeungNam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Dae Joon
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Jong Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: EWelland
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D008422:Materials Testing; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D044367:Phase Transition; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D017968:Vanadium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D017968:Vanadium Compounds; C066075:vanadium pentoxide