Symmetrical elegant silica nanostructures

Abstract

Symmetrical silica (SiO₂) nanostructures are synthesized by a facile chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method. The nanostructures are composed of oriented SiO₂ nanowires. Herein, silicon (Si) wafers play the role of the precursor and Ga–Au–Fe alloy act as the catalyst for the growth of the silica nanostructures. The morphology and structure of these novel SiO₂ nanowires are characterized. A possible mechanism is proposed to understand the growth process of the structures. These novel SiO₂ nanostructures would be advantageous in potential optoelectronics, nanoelectronics and photocatalytic applications.