Growth and mechanism of branched FeWO4@FeS core–shell nanostructures

Abstract

Branched FeWO4@FeS core–shell nanostructures were synthesized on silicon substrates sputtered with approximately 5nm of iron thin film via thermal evaporation of WO3 and S powder at 1050°C in a tube furnace. Both the trunk and branch of the nanostructures are of uniform morphology and well-crystalline structure with diameters in the range of 100–400nm and lengths up to tens of micrometers. It was proposed that the growth mechanism of the nanostructures was a combination of the classic vapor–liquid–solid and vapor–solid processes.