Nanowires

This book covers virtually all aspects of semiconductor nanowires, from growth to related applications, in detail. First, it addresses nanowires’ growth mechanism, one of the most important topics at the forefront of nanowire research. The focus then shifts to surface functionalization: nanowires have a high surface-to-volume ratio and thus are well-suited to surface modification, which effectively functionalizes them.

This book examines the behaviors of oxide nanowires, group III–V compounds, and other nanowires, including basic Si nanowires, metallic wires, and complex geometrical nanowires.

This thesis presents an in-depth exploration of imperfections that can be found in self-catalysed III-V semiconductor nanowires. By utilising advanced electron microscopy techniques, the interface sharpness and defects at the atomic and macroscopic scale are analysed. It is found that a surprising variety and quantity of defect structures can exist in nanowire systems, and that they can in fact host some never-before-seen defect configurations.

Volume 1, Metal and Semiconductor Nanowires covers a wide range of materials systems, from noble metals (such as Au, Ag, Cu), single element semiconductors (such as Si and Ge), compound semiconductors (such as InP, CdS and GaAs as well as heterostructures), nitrides (such as GaN and Si3N4) to carbides (such as SiC). The objective of this volume is to cover the synthesis, properties and device applications of nanowires based on metal and semiconductor materials. The volume starts with a review on novel electronic and optical nanodevices, nanosensors and logic circuits that have been built using individual nanowires as building blocks. Then, the theoretical background for electrical properties and mechanical properties of nanowires is given. The molecular nanowires, their quantized conductance, and metallic nanowires synthesized by chemical technique will be introduced next. Finally, the volume covers the synthesis and properties of semiconductor and nitrides nanowires.

This book provides an updated review on fabrication, properties, and applications of various nanowires. The book is aimed to provide solid foundation of nanowires to the students, scientists, and engineers working in the field of material science and condensed matter physics.

Volume 2, Nanowires and Nanobelts of Functional Materials covers a wide range of materials systems, from functional oxides (such as ZnO, SnO2, and In2O3), structural ceramics (such as MgO, SiO2 and Al2O3), composite materials (such as Si-Ge, SiC- SiO2), to polymers. This volume focuses on the synthesis, properties and applications of nanowires and nanobelts based on functional materials. Novel devices and applications made from functional oxide nanowires and nanobelts will be presented first, showing their unique properties and applications. The majority of the text will be devoted to the synthesis and properties of nanowires and nanobelts of functional oxides. Finally, sulphide nanowires, composite nanowires and polymer nanowires will be covered.