Synthesis of straight Y-shaped SiOx nanorods by a simple thermal evaporation method

The straight Y-shaped silicon oxide [ SiOx ( 1 < x < 2 )] nanorods have been synthesized on Si wafers by thermal evaporation of mixed powders of silica and carbon nanofibers at 1300 ∘C and condensation on an Si substrate without assistance of any catalyst. The synthesized products were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Raman spectrum. The results suggested that the straight Y-shaped nanorods are amorphous and consist only of silicon oxide, and these rods with diameters about 50–200 nm have a neat smooth surface. The growth of such silicon oxide nanorods may be a result of the second nucleation on the surface of rods causing a change in the growth direction of silicon oxide nanorods developed.