Competitive growth of In2O3 nanorods with rectangular cross sections

Abstract

In2O3 nanorods with rectangular cross sections have been successfully synthesized using Au as a catalyst through chemical vapor deposition methods. The synthesized nanorods possessed larger size than that of the catalyst particle. The growth process was discussed through detailed theory analysis and experimental validation, and a competitive growth model between axial growth under the vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) mechanism and lateral growth controlled by the vapor–solid (VS) mechanism was proposed to explain the formation of a rectangular cross section and the size change of the nanorods. The research regarding controlled growth under the two mechanisms, viz. VLS and VS, was beneficial for exploration into the controlled growth of complicated functional nanomaterials. Furthermore, the photoluminescence property was also studied.