A Novel Method to Synthesize a Large Area of Single Crystalline LiAl5O8 Nanorods

Abstract

A large area of single crystalline LiAl5O8 nanorods was synthesized by a vapor phase transport process via Au-catalyzed crystal growth on LiAlO2 substrate. The nanorods were grown at high density, with the [111] axis maintained perpendicular to the [100] substrate surface by the direct reaction of CO gas and LiAlO2 substrate. The dependence of the nanorods’ diameters and lengths on the growth conditions was systematically investigated. The nanorods were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. These results indicated that the crystallized LiAl5O8 nanorods are free of segregations of a second phase and extended defects. The vapor−liquid−solid (VLS) crystal growth mechanism of the single crystalline LiAl5O8 is also discussed.