Silicon nanowhiskers grown on a hydrogen-terminated silicon {111} surface

Abstract

Using a hydrogen-terminated Si {111} surface as a substrate, we have grown Si nanowhiskers along the 〈112〉 direction by the vapor–liquid–solid mechanism. The minimum silicon core diameter was 3 nm and the maximum length was about 2 μm. The minimum silicon core diameter is close to the critical value for visible light emission due to the quantum confinement effect. In contrast to an oxidized Si surface, the hydrogen-terminated surface facilitates the formation of small molten Au–Si catalysts at a lower temperature (500 °C) which is slightly above the eutectic temperature. The formation of catalysts and the subsequent growth at the low temperature yield thin Si nanowhiskers on a Si substrate.