Bimetallic-catalyst-mediated Syntheses of Nanomaterials (nanowires, Nanotubes, Nanofibers, Nanodots, Etc) by the VQS (vapor–quasiliquid–solid, Vapor– Quasisolid–solid) Growth Mechanism

The enhanced synergistic, catalytic effect of bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs), as compared to monometallic nanoparticles (NPs), on the nanomaterials (nanowires, nanotubes, nanodots, nanofibers, etc) synthesed by chemical vapor deposition has been investigated. A theoretical model for this catalytic effect and hence for nanomaterial growth, has been developed. The key element of the model is the diffusion of the nanomaterial source species through the nanopores of quasiliquid (quasisolid) BNP, rather than through the liquid or solid BNP, for nanomaterial growth. The role of growth parameters such as temperature, pressure and of the BNP material characteristics such as element mole fraction of BNP, has been studied. The cause of enhanced catalytic activity of BNPs as compared to NPs as a function of temperature has been explored. The dependence of growth rate on the nanomaterial diameter has also been examined. The calculated results have been extensively compared with available experiments. Experimental supports for the growth mechanism have been presented as well. Close correspondence between the calculated and experimental results attests to the validity of the proposed model. The wide applicability of the proposed model to nanowires, nanotubes, nanofibers, nanodots, etc suggests that it is general and has broad appeal.