Growth of Boron Nanowires by Chemical Vapor Deposition

Abstract

AbstractMotivated by the extensive research on carbon nanotubes (CNTs), boron and its related nano-structures have attracted increasing interests for potential applications in nanodevices and nanotechnologies due to their extraordinary properties. B-related nanostructures are successfully grown on various substrates in a CVD process. The boron nanowires have diameters around 50-200 nanometers and lengths up to a few microns. The gas chemistry is monitored by the in-situ mass-spectroscopy, which helps to identify reactive species in the process. Modified vapor-solid growths as well as VLS growth mechanisms are proposed for the growth of these nanostructures. The role of the catalysts in the synthesis is also discussed.