Synthesizing tungsten oxide nanowires by a thermal evaporation method

Tungsten oxide W18O49 nanowires with diameters of 10-20 nm were synthesized with high yield by thermal evaporation in a tube furnace. By heating tungsten trioxide powder at 900 degrees C in vacuum (5x10(-3) torr), W18O49 nanowires with diameters of 10-20 nm and lengths up to micrometers were produced with high yield on the Au-coated Si substrates located in the low temperature zone (550-600 degrees C) of the furnace. The morphology, composition, and crystal structure of the nanowires were characterized by various methods. The conditions and the mechanism of W18O49 nanowire growth are discussed. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.