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Real-Time Study of Surface-Guided Nanowire Growth by In Situ Scanning Electron Microscopy
Amnon Rothman1, Kristýna Bukvišová2,3, Noya Ruth Itzhak1
1Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot76100, Israel.
ACS Nano
|October 28, 2022
Summary
Real-time observation of surface-guided nanowire growth using in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals key mechanisms. This study clarifies how zinc selenide (ZnSe) nanowires elongate along grooves, offering insights for nanostructure fabrication.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Surface Science
Background:
- Surface-guided growth is crucial for fabricating oriented nanowire arrays for electronic and optoelectronic devices.
- Existing models of nanowire growth lack real-time observational data, leaving many aspects unclear.
- Previous studies have explored epitaxy, graphoepitaxy, and artificial epitaxy for guided nanowire growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To observe and understand the real-time kinetics and mechanisms of surface-guided nanowire growth.
- To investigate the influence of substrate topography and precursor concentration on nanowire morphology and growth.
- To provide a detailed, dynamic view of nanostructure formation during surface-guided growth.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to capture real-time movies of nanowire growth.
- Employing periodically faceted M-plane sapphire substrates with annealed nanogrooves.
- Growing zinc selenide (ZnSe) nanowires using a catalytic gold (Au) nanodroplet via vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism.
Main Results:
- Observed ZnSe nanowires elongating along substrate nanogrooves, propelled by a forward-moving Au catalyst droplet.
- Detailed the interplay between planar vs. nonplanar growth, VLS elongation vs. vapor-solid thickening, and substrate discontinuity effects.
- Demonstrated constant elongation rate for planar nanowires, contrary to jump-wise growth observations in some nonplanar cases.
- Showcased reversible growth and shrinking due to precursor concentration changes, indicating near-equilibrium conditions.
Conclusions:
- In situ SEM provides unprecedented real-time insights into surface-guided nanowire growth dynamics.
- Understanding these mechanisms, including catalyst behavior and substrate interaction, is vital for controlling nanostructure formation.
- This study enhances the fundamental knowledge required for the precise fabrication of nanowire arrays for advanced applications.
