Structure and morphology of the Znx Mg1−xO nanowires studied using shape memory composite nano-tweezers

Nanowires (NWs), nano rods, nano whiskers are an important class of materials with the great potential for applied and fundamental basic research. The cross section of NWs is typically cylindrical, hexagonal, square, or triangular and is uniform with a high aspect ratio. Recently the new technology of 3D-nanomanipulation is proposed based on composite bimetallic structures with shape memory effect (SME). The present paper reports application of the new nano-tweezers system for experimental investigation of the individual nanowires of Zn_xMg_1-xO, which is the example of submicron-sized objects whose individual properties are difficult to study by standard methods. We describe the technology of preparation of Zn_xMg_1-xO NWs, the process of the selection of individual NWs by composite nano-tweezers with SME in vacuum chamber of FIB device and experimental study of their structure and morphology by TEM.