Vapor-defect-solid growth mechanism for NanoNets utilizing natural defect networks in polycrystals

Publication date: 15 July 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 150
Author(s): Zumin Wang, Eric J. Mittemeijer
Nanowires are major building components for nanotechnology. The growth and the assembly of nanowires are often complicated and expensive, which has impeded practical applications of such nanotechnology. This work discloses a Vapor-Defect-Solid (VDS) mechanism for growth of nanowall networks (NanoNets), by exploring a spontaneous interaction of vapor and defect networks in polycrystalline materials. A kinetic model analysis of the precondition and the characteristics of the VDS growth process is presented. The VDS growth mechanism allows straightforward, fast growth of two-dimensional NanoNets at near room temperature from vapor sources with a very high production yield, and thus holds potential as a general route for large-area production of NanoNets at a reduced cost. The VDS growth mechanism further allows exploration of fundamental knowledge of grain-boundary networks in nanocrystalline materials, and opens new avenues for grain-boundary engineering.

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