Functionalization of 110 oriented silicon quantum wires

Abstract

Silicon nanowires (SiNW) are cylindrical crystals of diamond structured silicon with a length much greater than diameter. Silicon nanowires are ~1-100 nm in diameter, 110 direction dominates for wires less than 10 nm (Wu et al.), and the smallest wire is 1.3 nm diameter (Ma et al.). Electronic properties of silicon nanowires vary with growth orientation, surface restructuring, and attached ligands. Prospects are good for use of silicon nanowires in future nanoelectronics and PV devices.