A novel chemical route to SiO2 nanowires

A white substance was got by directly heating TiSi powder on Ti foil, under Ar+O2 atmosphere. ED, EDX, SEM and HRTEM studies reveal that the white substance consists of amorphous SiO2 nanowires of smooth surface and uniform diameter (40?0 nm). X-ray-induced luminescent emission experiment shows that two broad peaks are at 430 and 570 nm. A one-dimensional growth mechanism, on the basis of the one-dimensional thermal flow during nanowire formation, is discussed.