Synthesis of Ag/Si core/shell coaxial nanowire heterostructures by the vapor-liquid-solid technique

Metal/semiconductor core/shell radial heterostructured coaxial nanowires are reported for the first time. The radial coaxial nanowires consisted of a crystalline metallic Ag core and semiconducting amorphous Si shell. The Ag core nanowire growth was guided by the gold-catalyst-assisted vapor-liquid-solid process, whereas the amorphous Si shell formation could be attributed to the surface diffusion of the Si species through the liquid Au droplets to the nanowire surface.