Vapor-solid-solid growth mechanism driven by epitaxial match between solid AuZn alloy catalyst particles and ZnO nanowires at low temperatures

Campos LC;Tonezzer M

Co-primo

;Ferlauto AS;Grillo V;Magalhaes-Paniago R;Oliveira S;Ladeira LO;Lacerda RG

2008-01-01

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Abstract

A comprehensive explanation for the precise mechanism of ZnO nanowire growth at low temperatures (T<400 degrees C) is presented. Experimental data and theoretical considerations evidence that ZnO nanowires originate from solid gamma-AuZn catalyst particles. A model is proposed to describe such growth. An original feature of the model concerns the formation of nanowire, which occurs via preferential oxidation of specific gamma-AuZn surfaces induced by epitaxial-like growth mechanism.