Preparation and characterization of SiO2 nanowires using a SnO2 catalyst.

SiO 2 nanowires have been successfully synthesized on the surface of the silicon substrate via a thermal evaporation method using SnO 2 powders as the catalysts. The final synthesized product was systematically studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (RS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), UV-Visible absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The results reveal that in the reaction and growth process, the real catalytic effect is Sn and SnO x , and the growth of SiO 2 nanowire is most likely controlled by VLS mechanism. The PL spectral results indicate the obtained products have a stable yellow-green emission range. The products have improved performance and can be used in optoelectronic semiconductor devices. • SiO 2 nanowires are successfully prepared by thermal evaporation using SnO 2 as catalyst. • The growth mechanism of SiO 2 nanowires follows the VLS mechanism. • Due to the influence of saturated vapor pressure, the morphology and structure of samples are different in different temperature regions. • The SiO 2 nanowires display yellow-green emission which is probably ascribed to the luminescence center model of the doped SiO 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]