Iron-oxide nanostructures with emphasis on nanowires

Abstract

This article examines the properties of iron-oxide nanostructures, with particular emphasis on nanowires. It begins with an overview of iron-oxide nanostructures and nanowires, followed by a discussion of the synthesis of aligned ?-Fe2O3 nanowires and nanosheets by a simple thermal oxidation route. It then describes the preferential bending of [110] grown ?-Fe2O3 nanowires about the C-axis and quantitative estimation of nanowire alignment using X-ray diffraction and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction. It also considers the growth mechanism of ?-Fe2O3 nanowires and nanosheets, different nanowire morphologies, rotational slip in ?-Fe2O3 nanosheets, and the influence of local environment and substrate microstructure on nanowire growth.