Vapor-solid-solid growth mechanism driven by epitaxial match between solid AuZn alloy catalyst particles and ZnO nanowires at low temperatures

A comprehensive explanation for the precise mechanism of ZnO nanowire growth at low temperatures (T<400 degrees C) is presented. Experimental data and theoretical considerations evidence that ZnO nanowires originate from solid gamma-AuZn catalyst particles. A model is proposed to describe such growth. An original feature of the model concerns the formation of nanowire, which occurs via preferential oxidation of specific gamma-AuZn surfaces induced by epitaxial-like growth mechanism.