Versatile method for template-free synthesis of single crystalline metal and metal alloy nanowires. Issue 5 (14th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scott, John A.; Totonjian, Daniel; Martin, Aiden A.; Tran, Toan Trong; Fang, Jinghua; Toth, Milos; McDonagh, Andrew M.; Aharonovich, Igor; Lobo, Charlene J.
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 8:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 2804
• Page End: 2810
• Publication Date: 2016-01-14
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c5nr07307c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : A versatile, template-free growth technique for single crystalline metal nanowires using gas or solution phase precursors. Abstract : Metal and metal alloy nanowires have applications ranging from spintronics to drug delivery, but high quality, high density single crystalline materials have been surprisingly difficult to fabricate. Here we report a versatile, template-free, self-assembly method for fabrication of single crystalline metal and metal alloy nanowires (Co, Ni, NiCo, CoFe, and NiFe) by reduction of metal nitride precursors formed in situ by reaction of metal salts with a nitrogen source. Thiol reduction of the metal nitrides to the metallic phase at 550–600 °C results in nanowire growth. In this process, sulfur acts as a uniaxial structure-directing agent, passivating the surface of the growing nanowires and preventing radial growth. The versatility of the method is demonstrated by achieving nanowire growth from gas-phase, solution-phase or a combination of gas- and solution-phase precursors. The fabrication method is suited to large-area CVD on a wide range of solid substrates.