Synthesis and Photoluminescence of Silica Nanowires Grown on Si Substrate

Abstract

A new simple method was developed to synthesize silica nanowires by physical thermal evaporation of a mixture of silica particles and iron trichloride. The silica nanowires have diameters from 30 to 50 nm, and lengths of ~10 μm, with iron particles at their tips. The growth mechanism of the amorphous silica nanowires follows vapor–liquid–solid model. A broad blue–green photoluminescence band with defined maximum peak energy of ~2.45 eV is observed at room temperature revealing that the silica nanowires could have potential applications in optoelectronic devices.