J. Phys. Chem. C, 111 (46), 17169 -17172, 2007. 10.1021/jp077435u S1932-7447(07)07435-3
Web Release Date: October 26, 2007

Copyright © 2007 American Chemical Society

Bicrystal AlN Zigzag Nanowires

H. Wang, G. Liu, W. Yang, L. Lin, Z. Xie,* J. Y. Fang, and L. An*

State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China, Institute of Materials, Ningbo University of Technology, Ningbo 315016, P.R. China, Department of Material Science and Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Urban Construction, Tianjin 300384, P.R. China, and Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816

Received: September 15, 2007

In Final Form: October 14, 2007

Abstract:

Bicrystal AlN zigzag nanowires have been synthesized by directly nitriding aluminum powders using Fe(NO3)3 as a catalyst. The structural characterizations reveal that there are three types of grain boundaries between the two single crystals. The lattice mismatches along these boundaries cause asymmetrical residual stresses, which tilt these boundaries to different directions, leading to the formation of a zigzag morphology. The transitions between these boundaries offset these lattice mismatch stresses and stabilize the structure.

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