A microstructure deformation of indium oxide (In2O3) nanoparticles by an in situ thermal radiation treatment in nitrous oxide plasma was investigated. The In2O3 nanoparticles were completely transformed into nanostructured In2O3 films upon 10 min of treatment time. The treated In2O3 nanoparticle sample showed improvement in crystallinity while maintaining a large surface area of nanostructure morphology. The direct transition optical absorption at higher photon energy and the electrical conductivity of the In2O3 nanoparticles were significantly enhanced by the treatment.

In this experiment, silicon/carbon (Si/C) core-shell nanowires (NWs) were synthesized using gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) coated carbon nitride nanorods (CN NRs) as a template. To begin with, the Au NPs coated CN NRs were prepared by using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition assisted with hot-wire evaporation technique. Fourier transform infrared spectrum confirms the C–N bonding of the CN NRs, while X-ray diffraction pattern indicates the crystalline structure of the Au NPs and amorphous structure of the CN NRs. The Au NPs coated CN NRs were thermally annealed at temperature of 800°C in nitrogen ambient for one hour to induce the growth of Si/C core-shell NWs. The growth mechanism for the Si/C core-shell NWs is related to the nitrogen evolution and solid-liquid-solid growth process which is a result of the thermal annealing. The formation of Si/C core-shell NWs is confirmed by electron spectroscopic imaging analysis.

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In this work, layer structured silicon suboxide/gold/silicon suboxide (SiOx/Au/SiOx) films were prepared by using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition assisted with hot wire evaporation technique. Post rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process was done on the as-prepared films for 100, 500 and 700s at constant temperature of 800oC in vacuum ambient. Effects of RTA process on the structural and morphological properties of films were studied using FE-SEM, depth profiling and XRD measurement. While, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) phenomenon exhibited by Au particles was investigated via the optical absorption spectra. SPR signals can be exhibited by sample annealed for longer time duration. Individual Au islands tend to form the spherical shape as a whole. Diffusion of Au particles towards the surface of SiOx film is temperature dependent and crystallite size of Au enlarges with the rapid thermal annealing time.