The Xu group is primarily interested in synthesis and characterization of boron-based 1D nanostructures. Bulk boron-based structures are semiconductors with high melting temperature, high hardness, good mechanical properties, excellent oxidation and chemical resistance. The boron-based nanostructures could have better properties compared to the corresponding bulk structures, and will have potential applications in nanocomposites, nanoelectronics, MEMS and NEMS device, and high temperature thermoelectric energy conversion. Low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) is used to synthesis boron-related nanostructures. Both vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) and vapor-solid (VS) growth mechanisms are explored during the synthesis.
Funding resources: National Science Foundation, Lockheed Martin Coporation, American Chemical Society-Petroleum Research Fund, Wachovia Faculty Fellowship
Student Participants: Manira Akter (current Ph.D. student), Zhiguang Cui (Ph.D. 2016), Zhe Guan (Ph.D. 2013), Syed Amin (Ph.D., 2008)
Previous Results:
Boron carbide nanowires: Journal of Materials Chemistry, DOI:10.1039/C2JM14857A, (2012).
Alkaline-earth metal hexaboride nanowires; Chemistry of Materials, 21(4), p763, (2009).
TiO2 nanowires; Nanotechnology 18, 445609, (2007)
