Nanowire growth of aluminum carbide ceramics by cobalt-based catalyst and its photoluminescence characteristics

Abstract

Al₄C₃ nanowires (NWs) are one-dimensional ceramic nanomaterials that have attracted attention for potential applications in field-emission (FE) and photoluminescence (PL) devices owing to their unique crystal structure. The principle behind their synthesis often relies on the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) process, which is widely applied to semiconductor NWs. However, to achieve stable synthesis, it is necessary to identify sustainable and appropriate catalysts and to elucidate the NW growth principle. This study reports the synthesis of Al₄C₃ NWs using CoAl as a catalyst, demonstrates the effectiveness of the catalyst for NW growth, and suggests the possibility of future application to PL devices. Electron microscopy analyses revealed the NW growth mechanism by examining the crystallographic relationship between the NW and the catalyst. The synthesis environment inferred from this experiment was compatible with the conventional VLS method, representing a pioneering achievement that will facilitate the large-scale synthesis of Al₄C₃ NWs.