title: Formation of nanowires via single particle-triggered linear polymerization of solid-state aromatic molecules.
abstract: Nanowires occupy a prestigious place in nanoelectronics, nanomechanics, and biomimetics. Although there are notable methods to grow nanowires via self-assembly, there is a key drawback in the need to find out the specific conditions appropriate for each system. In this sense, universal techniques to fabricate such nanowires from various organic materials have been sought for the continued progress of the related research field. Here we report one of the promising and facile methodologies to quantitatively produce nanowires with controlled geometrical parameters. In this method, referred to as "Single Particle-Triggered Linear Polymerization (STLiP)", organic thin films on a supporting substrate were irradiated with high-energy charged particles, accelerated by particle accelerators. Each particle penetrates from the top of the films to the substrate while gradually releasing kinetic energy along its trajectory (ion track), generating reactive intermediates such as radical species that eventually induce propagation reactions. The resulting polymerized products were integrated into nanowires with uniform diameter and length that can be isolated via development with appropriate organic solvents. Considering the widely applicable nature of STLiP to organic materials, the present technique opens a new door for access to a number of functional nanowires and their assembly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan. sakurai-t@moleng.kyoto-u.ac.jp seki@moleng.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Akifumi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Horio
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan. sakurai-t@moleng.kyoto-u.ac.jp seki@moleng.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Tsuneaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.affiliation: Inter University Accelerator Centre, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India.
authors.forename: G B V S
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Lakshmi
authors.affiliation: Inter University Accelerator Centre, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India and Amity Institute of Nanotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201313, India.
authors.forename: Devesh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kumar Avasthi
authors.affiliation: Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 1233 Watanuki-machi, Takasaki, Gunma 370-1292, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugimoto
authors.affiliation: Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 1233 Watanuki-machi, Takasaki, Gunma 370-1292, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan. sakurai-t@moleng.kyoto-u.ac.jp seki@moleng.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seki