We investigated the effect of silver catalysts to enhance the growth of Ga2O3 nanowires. The growth of Ga2O3 nanowires on a P+-Si (100) substrate was demonstrated by using a thermal oxidation technique at high temperatures (~1000 °C) in the presence of a thin silver film that serves as a catalyst layer. We present the results of morphological, compositional, and electrical characterization of the Ga2O3 nanowires, including the measurements on photoconductance and transient time. Our results show that highly oriented, dense and long Ga2O3 nanowires can be grown directly on the surface of silicon. The Ga2O3 nanowires, with their inherent n-type characteristics formed a pn heterojunction when grown on silicon. The heterojunction showed rectifying characteristics and excellent UV photoresponse.
Keywords: electrical conductivity; nanowires; oxidation; photodetector; silver catalyst; β-Ga2O3.