1st Edition

Inorganic Nanowires Applications, Properties, and Characterization

By M. Meyyappan, Mahendra K. Sunkara Copyright 2009
    450 Pages 257 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Advances in nanofabrication, characterization tools, and the drive to commercialize nanotechnology products have contributed to the significant increase in research on inorganic nanowires (INWs). Yet few if any books provide the necessary comprehensive and coherent account of this important evolution.

    Presenting essential information on both popular and emerging varieties, Inorganic Nanowires: Applications, Properties, and Characterization addresses the growth, characterization, and properties of nanowires. Author Meyyappan is the director and senior scientist at Ames Center for Nanotechnology and a renowned leader in nanoscience and technology, and Sunkara is also a major contributor to nanowire literature. Their cutting-edge work is the basis for much of the current understanding in the area of nanowires, and this book offers an in-depth overview of various types of nanowires, including semiconducting, metallic, and oxide varieties. It also includes extensive coverage of applications that use INWs and those with great potential in electronics, optoelectronics, field emission, thermoelectric devices, and sensors.

    This invaluable reference:

    • Traces the evolution of nanotechnology and classifies nanomaterials
    • Describes nanowires and their potential applications to illustrate connectivity and continuity
    • Discusses growth techniques, at both laboratory and commercial scales
    • Evaluates the most important aspects of classical thermodynamics associated with the nucleation and growth of nanowires
    • Details the development of silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide, and other materials in the form of nanowires used in electronics applications
    • Explores the physical, electronic and other properties of nanowires

    The explosion of nanotechnology research activities for various applications is due in large part to the advances in the growth of nanowires. Continued development of novel nanostructured materials is essential to the success of so many economic sectors, ranging from computing and communications to transportation and medicine. This volume discusses how and why nanowires are ideal candidates to replace bulk and thin film materials. It covers the principles behind device operation and then adds a detailed assessment of nanowire fabrication, performance results, and future prospects and challenges, making this book a valuable resource for scientists and engineers in just about any field.

    Co-author Meyya Meyyappan will receive the Pioneer Award in Nanotechnology from the IEEE Nanotechnology Council at the IEEE Nano Conference in Portland, Oregon in August, 2011

    Introduction

    Historical Perspective

     

    Growth Techniques

    Liquid-Phase Techniques

    Vapor-Phase Techniques

    Bulk Production Methods

    Future Developments

     

    Thermodynamic and Kinetic Aspects of Nanowire Growth

    Thermodynamic Considerations for Vapor-Liquid-Solid Growth

    Kinetic Considerations of Nanowire Growth Under VLS Growth

     

    Modeling of Nanowire Growth

    Energetics of Stable Surface Faceting: Silicon Nanowire Example

    Simulation of Individual Nanowire Growth

    Modeling of Multiple Nucleation and Growth of One-Dimensional Structures

    Modeling Nanowire Array Growth

     

    Semiconducting Nanowires

    Silicon Nanowires

    Germanium Nanowires

    Catalyst Choice

    III-V Nanowires

     

    Phase Change Materials

    Phase Change Nanowire Growth

    Properties Relevant to PRAM

     

    Metallic Nanowires

    Bismuth Nanowires

    Silver Nanowires

    Copper Nanowires

    Nickel Nanowires

    Zinc Nanowires

     

    Oxide Nanowires

    Synthesis Methodologies

    Directed Growth and Morphological Control

    Oxygen Vacancies, Doping and Phase Transformation

     

    Nitride Nanowires

    Synthesis of Group III-Nitride Nanowires

    Branching of Nanowires

    Diameter Reduction of III-Nitride Nanowires

    Direction Dependent Properties

     

    Other Nanowires

    Antimonides

    Selenides

    Tellurides

    Sulfides

    Silicides

     

    Applications in Electronics

    Silicon Nanowire Transistors

    Vertical Transistors

    Germanium Nanowire Transistors

    Zinc Oxide and Other Nanowires in Electronics

    III-V Transistors

    Memory Devices

     

    Applications in Optoelectronics

    Photodetectors

    Light Emitting Diodes

    Nanoscale Lasers

     

    Applications in Sensors

    Chemical Sensors

    Biosensors

     

    Applications in the Renewable Energy Sector

    Solar Cells

    Electrochromic Devices

    Li Ion Batteries

     

    Other Applications

    Field Emission Devices

    Thermoelectric Devices

    Biography

    M. Meyyappan, Mahendra K. Sunkara