In situ growth of SiOx nanowires catalyzed by Bi on Si substrate

Large-scale, high density silicon oxide nanowires have been synthesized on Si substrate with liquid phase Bi as a novel catalyst under H2 flow at 1100 °C. The length of the SiOx nanowires is in the range of several tens to hundreds of micrometers, and the diameters of nanowires are 20–200 nm. The result of transmission electron microscopy shows that the SiOx nanowires are amorphous. The formation process of SiOx nanowires is related to the solid–liquid–solid growth mechanism. Photoluminescence spectrum of SiOx nanowires shows two peaks at 347 and 457 nm under the 220 nm ultraviolet fluorescent light excitation and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectrum of SiOx nanowires shows strong absorption peak between 200 and 300 nm.