Bulk-quantity synthesis and self-catalytic VLS growth of SnO2 nanowires by lower-temperature evaporation

Tin oxide (SnO2) nanowires have been synthesized in bulk quantities at lower temperature (680 degreesC) by thermal evaporation of SnO powder. These as-synthesized SnO2 nanowires are single crystals with [3 0 1] growth axis, with diameters ranging from 10 to 190 mn and lengths extending to tens of micrometers. The growth of SnO2 nanowires synthesized by lower-temperature evaporation is dominated by a self-catalytic vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism. The self-catalytic effect in VLS process has been described. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.