Unconventional vapor–liquid–solid growth of SiO2 nanooctopuses

Abstract

In this study, we demonstrate the unconventional vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) growth of amorphous SiO₂ nanooctopuses. The SiO₂ nanooctopuses were successfully synthesized by a simple water-assisted reaction on Si wafers. The obtained aggregates have been systematically characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. A novel VLS model has been proposed for the growth of SiO₂ nanooctopuses based on the experimental observations and characterizations. The amorphous SiO₂ nanooctopuses emit stable violet-blue light, implying their potential applications in photoelectronic devices.