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Crystalline silica nanowires

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Abstract

α-Cristobalite nanowires of 50–100 nm diameter with lengths of several microns have been synthesized for the first time by the solid-state reaction of fumed silica and activated charcoal. The nanowires have been characterized by x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, photoluminescence, and Raman scattering. The nanowires are single crystalline as revealed by high-resolution electron microscope images. The crystalline nanowires are clad by an amorphous silica sheath when the carbon to fumed silica ratio in the starting mixture is small. Use of hydrogen along with Ar helps to eliminate the amorphous sheath.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit and CSIR Centre of Excellence in Chemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, Jakkur P.O., 560 064, India

    F. L. Deepak, Gautam Gundiah, Md. Motin Seikh, A. Govindaraj & C. N. R. Rao

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  1. F. L. Deepak
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  2. Gautam Gundiah
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  3. Md. Motin Seikh
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  4. A. Govindaraj
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  5. C. N. R. Rao
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Correspondence to C. N. R. Rao.

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Deepak, F.L., Gundiah, G., Seikh, M.M. et al. Crystalline silica nanowires. Journal of Materials Research 19, 2216–2220 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.2004.0285

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.2004.0285

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