| CPC C30B 29/62 (2013.01) [B82Y 40/00 (2013.01); C30B 11/12 (2013.01); C30B 11/14 (2013.01); C30B 25/005 (2013.01); C30B 29/08 (2013.01)] | 19 Claims |
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1. A method for preparing a network of nanowires comprising the steps of:
i. providing a first gas flow to a reaction vessel;
wherein said first gas flow comprises at least one precursor compound comprising at least one element selected from Si, Ge, Al, Cu, Zn, Pt, Mo, W, Mn, and Li; wherein the at least one precursor compound is a metallic hydride or an organometallic compound; and
ii. providing a second gas flow to the reaction vessel, said second gas flow comprising metallic catalyst particles; wherein the metallic catalyst particles consist of one element selected from Au, Ag, Cu, Fe, Ni, Ga, Co, Pt, In and Al; so as the first and second gas flows are mixed in the reaction vessel to form a gas flow mixture consisting of:
the at least one precursor compound,
at least a sheath gas selected from nitrogen, hydrogen and/or noble gases, and
the metallic catalyst particles;
wherein the precursor compound or the sum of precursor compounds is in the gas flow mixture in a mole fraction (xi) of between 0.006 and 0.50;
wherein the temperature inside the reaction vessel ranges from 200 to 800° C. or is at least 801° C.; and
wherein the at least one precursor compound decomposes under the temperature inside the reaction vessel and grows on the metallic catalyst particles by vapor liquid-solid (VLS) and/or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to form a network of nanowires;
wherein the nanowires of the network of nanowires are made of a solid material or are hollow.
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