Silicon-based nanowires from silicon wafers catalyzed by cobalt nanoparticles in a hydrogen environment

We present here the synthesis of silicon-based nanowires directly from silicon wafers at high temperatures and in the presence of cobalt nanoparticles and hydrogen gas. All three ingredients were critical to the growth of Si-based nanowires, which were between 560 nm in diameter and (mu)m-mm long. Both heavily coiled and straight Si-based nanowires were made. Experimental evidence suggested that the sources of silicon for the nanowires growth were in the gas phase.