Citrate-stabilized palladium nanoparticles as catalysts for sub-20 nm epitaxial silicon nanowires

Abstract

Citrate-stabilized palladium nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 13 nm were synthesized in aqueous solution. These particles were utilized as catalysts to grow epitaxial silicon nanowires by chemical vapor deposition at temperatures below 500 degrees C. The resulting nanowires have a mean diameter of 15 nm. It is found that during the growth process the palladium particles transform into dipalladium silicide. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3460918]