Nanospring formation—unexpected catalyst mediated growth

Abstract

Nanosprings are a new form of nanowires that have potential applications in nanoelectronics, nanomechanics, and nanoelectromechanical systems. In this review we will examine the growth mechanism of these novel nanostructures. The synthesis of nanowires by the vapour–liquid–solid growth mechanism, first proposed by Wagner and Ellis, will be explored and then extended to the development of a model to explain the formation of nanosprings.

Surfactant effect of antimony addition to the morphology of self-catalyzed InAs1−x Sb x nanowires

“…6. It is well known that the shape of a catalyst droplet is determined by the concentration and type of material in the catalyst as well as a balance of the forces of free surface energy and interface forces at the triple phase line [43]. This means Sb induced reduction in γ sd and/or γ dv would lead to a decrease in β.…”

Scanning tunneling microscopy investigations of silicon carbide nanowires

“…The nanofibres' axis lies usually in the [1 1 1] direction but the objects with [1 0 0] orientation have been also observed [7]. As has been shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) SiC nanowires exhibit many structural defects-like bends, junctions and twists [16][17][18]. The crystallographic structure of the SiC nanofibres and their internal defects are the subjects of many investigations.…”

Growth of GaAs nanoscale whiskers by magnetron sputtering deposition

“…In this mechanism, whiskers are assumed to grow due to the adsorption of vapor atoms on the drop surface (VL) and the solidification of supersaturated liquid alloy on the surface under the drop (LS) [9][10][11][12][13]. In 1973, Givargizov and Chernov proposed theoretical model of whisker formation by VLS mechanism [10,11].…”