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Usefulness of Mesoporous Silica as a Template for the Preparation of Bundles of Bi Nanowires with Precisely Controlled Diameter Below 10 nm
Author(s) -
Kitahara Masaki,
Kamila Hasbuna,
Shimojima Atsushi,
Wada Hiroaki,
Mori Takao,
Terasaki Ichiro,
Kuroda Kazuyuki
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chemistry – an asian journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.18
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1861-471X
pISSN - 1861-4728
DOI - 10.1002/asia.201501433
Subject(s) - nanowire , materials science , mesoporous material , template , nanotechnology , mesoporous silica , template method pattern , deposition (geology) , chemical engineering , thin film , catalysis , organic chemistry , chemistry , paleontology , sediment , engineering , biology
Abstract The reduction of the diameter of Bi nanowires below 10 nm has been an important target because of the theoretical prediction with regard to significant enhancement in thermoelectric performance by size reduction. In this study, we have demonstrated the usefulness of mesoporous silica with tunable pore size as a template for the preparation of thin Bi nanowires with diameters below 10 nm. Bi was deposited within the templates through a liquid phase deposition using hexane and 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyldisiloxane as a solvent and reducing agent, respectively. Bundles of thin Bi nanowires with non‐crystalline frameworks were successfully obtained after the template removal. The diameter was precisely controlled between about 6 nm and 9 nm. The judicious choices of mesoporous silica and deposition conditions are critical for the successful preparation. The reliable formation of such thin Bi nanowires reported here opens up exciting new possibilities.