Transition from freestanding SnO2 nanowires to laterally aligned nanowires with a simulation-based experimental design

Abstract

In this study, we used simulations as a guide for experiments in order to switch freestanding nanowire growth to a laterally aligned growth mode. By means of finite element simulations, we determined that a higher volumetric flow and a reduced process pressure will result in a preferred laterally aligned nanowire growth. Furthermore, increasing the volumetric flow leads to a higher species dilution. Based on our numerical results, we were able to successfully grow laterally aligned SnO₂ nanowires out of gold film edges and gold nanoparticles on a-plane sapphire substrates. In our experiments a horizontal 2-zone tube furnace was used. The generation of Sn gas was achieved by a carbothermal reduction of SnO₂ powder. However, we observed no elongation of the nanowire length with an increase of the process time. Nevertheless, an alternating gas exchange between an inert gas (Ar) and an oxygen-containing process atmosphere yielded an elongation of the laterally aligned nanowires, indicating that the nanowire growth takes place in a transient period of the gas exchange.

Keywords: finite element method simulation; laterally aligned nanowires; planar growth; tin oxide; vapor–liquid–solid nanowire growth.