Gold at the root or at the Tip of ZnO Nanowires: A Model

Growth studies of ZnO nanowires nucleated from predefined Au particles on planar substrates or on nanowire backbones show that Au particles are observed either at the root for planar substrates or the tip for wires nucleated from nanowire backbones (see image). In contrast to the well-accepted cases of the vapor–solid–solid process for Si and III-V compound nanowires, the size of the Au particle at the tip does not determine the size of the ZnO nanowire.