Deep-cryogenic treatment of ZnO nanowires

Abstract

Deep-cryogenic treatment was performed on vertically aligned ZnO nanowires produced by metal organic chemical vapour deposition. The mechanical response of the nanowires was detected by nanoindentation tests. It was found that Young's modulus, the critical buckling stress and strain of individual nanowires is not significantly influenced by cryogenic exposure. Yet, Young's modulus of the bulk base ZnO, from which the nanowires are grown, halved after a deep-cryogenic treatment.