Catalytic growth and characterization of single-crystalline aluminum nitride nanowires

We report a simple synthesis of AlN nanowires via catalyst-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. These high quality and uniform nanowires have smooth surface with diameter of 50 nm and length of 10-30 ¿ m, which are hexagonal single-crystal with lattice parameters c = 0.497 nm, a = 0.272 nm and grow along [100] direction. The morphology and structure were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman analysis. Our results provide the first direct evidence of vapor-liquid-solid growth mechanism for the synthesis of AlN nanowires.