Self-assembly and growth mechanism of au nanoparticle chains in silica nanowires

초록

We report the formation of a one-dimensional Au nanoparticle (NP) chain embedded in silica nanowires (NWs) and suggest a possible mechanism for the chain growth based on an alternative vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) process. The Au NP chain was self-assembled inside silica NWs, which were grown by high-temperature annealing of silicon substrates coated with a thick Au film. The Au NPs inside the NWs were observed to be formed by the sequent detachment of some Au from the top of a wick-like Au wire that extended from a Au lump, which was also the origin of the NWs. The results are attributed to the push-up growth of NWs by the continuous formation of a silicon-oxide phase at the top and/or on the side of a liquid Au lump via the VLS process.

키워드