Tantalum nitride nanowires: Synthesis and characterization

TaN0.43 nanowires have been prepared via a controlled thermal process using spongiform Ta as precursor. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the compositions, morphology, and structures of the samples. The results show that the sample consisted of single-crystalline nanorods with the diameter of 100-500 nm. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the product was indexed as the hexagonal TaN0.43. TEM and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns identify that the TaN0.43 nanowires are single-crystalline in nature. The TaN0.43 nanowires display an intensive violet PL emission at around 432 am. A growth mechanism is proposed for the formation of nanowires. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.