Synthesis and characterization of amorphous SiO2 nanowires derived from a polymeric precursor.

Bulk quantity and long-scale amorphous SiO2 nanowires have been prepared simply by direct pyrolysis of an iron-modified perhydropolysilazane (Fe-PHPS) at 1300 degrees C in the flowing Ar atmosphere. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) study shows that most SiO2 nanowires have smooth surface and they consist of straight and smoothly curved parts, with diameters in the range of 50 to 200 nm and lengths up to 200 microm. Beside this normal form of SiO2 nanowires via the typical vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism, four other different helical forms of nanowires, named spring-shaped nanowires, twinborn nanospring, fishbone-shaped nanowires and braided-like helical SiO, nanowires, are also observed. The formation of these nanowires is proposed to be the modulated contact angle anisotropy (CAA) mechanism based on the VLS mechanism.