Pressure-temperature dependence of nanowire formation in the arsenic-sulfur system

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 2006 · Physics and Chemistry of Glasses, 47(6):675-680

OSTI ID:912749

Riley, Brian J; Johnson, Bradley R; Sundaram, S K; Engelhard, Mark H; Williford, Rick E; Olmstead, Juliana D

Nanowire Formation in Arsenic Trisulfide Brian J. Riley, S.K. Sundaram*, Bradley R. Johnson, Mark Engelhard Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PO Box 999, Richland, WA 99352 * Corresponding author: Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone], E-mail: [e-mail] Abstract: Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) nanowires, nano-droplets, and micro-islands were synthesized on fused silica substrates, using a sublimation-condensation process at reduced pressures (70 mtorr – 70 torr) in a sealed ampoule. Microstructural control of the deposited thin film was achieved by controlling initial pressure, substrate temperature and substrate surface treatment. Microstructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). Surface topography and chemistry of the substrates were characterized using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Semi-quantitative image analysis and basic curve-fitting were used to develop empirical models to mathematically describe the variation of microstructure as a function of initial pressure and substrate temperature and map out the regions of different microstructures in P-T space. Thermodyamic properties (available from literature) of this system are also incorporated in this map. Nanowires of an amorphous, transparent in visible-LWIR region, semi-conducting material, like As2S3, provide new opportunities for the development of novel nano-photonic and electronic devices. Additionally, this system provides an excellent opportunity to model (and control) microstructure development from nanometer to micron scales in a physical vapor deposition process, which is of great value to nanoscience and nanotechnology in general.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US), Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 912749
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-41762; 6091; NN2001000
• Journal Information: Physics and Chemistry of Glasses, 47(6):675-680, Journal Name: Physics and Chemistry of Glasses, 47(6):675-680 Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 47; ISSN PCGLA6; ISSN 0031-9090
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ARSENIC SULFIDES
Arsenic trisulfide
Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory
MICROSTRUCTURE
PHYSICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
QUANTUM WIRES
SILICA
SUBSTRATES
SYNTHESIS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
THIN FILMS
chalcogenide
nanowire
submlimation-condensation