0000000000669901
AUTHOR
Kirk J. Ziegler
The synthesis of matrices of embedded semiconducting nanowires.
In this work we report how single crystal nanowires can be assembled into regular arrays using mesoporous thin films to define the architecture. Mesoporous thin films were prepared by a sol-gel method. These provide films of very regular structure and dimensions. The films produced in this way have almost single crystal like structures and can also exhibit strong epitaxy to the underlying silicon substrate. The films are subjected to a supercritical fluid (SCF) environment in which a precursor is decomposed to yield nanowires of metals, semiconductors or oxides. Using these SCF conditions, pore filling is complete and the products are nanowires which are single crystals and structurally ali…
Conductive films of ordered nanowire arrays
peer-reviewed High-density, ordered arrays of germanium nanowires have been synthesised within the pores of mesoporous thin films (MTFs) and anodized aluminium oxide (AAO) matrices using a supercritical fluid solution-phase inclusion technique. Conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) was utilised to study the electrical properties of the nanowires within these arrays. Nearly all of the semiconductor nanowires contained within the AAO substrates were found to be conducting. Additionally, each individual nanowire within the substrate possessed similar electrical properties demonstrating that the nanowires are continuous and reproducible within each pore. C-AFM was also able to probe the co…