Fabrication of self-supported patterns of aligned beta-FeOOH nanowires by a low-temperature solution reaction.

Self-supported patterns of oriented alignment of beta-FeOOH nanowires are fabricated through a simple solution reaction from the complex [Fe(phen)(3)](2+) at 60 degrees C. The alignment of nanowires with a diameter of 40 nm and length of 6 mum is relatively uniform. HRTEM studies show that the growing direction of beta-FeOOH nanowires is perpendicular to the orientation plane of self-formed beta-FeOOH flake-like substrates. In the reaction and crystal growth process, the precursor [Fe(phen)(3)](2+) is undoubtedly vital to the formation of nanowire alignment. In detail, the formation of aligned nanowires is thought to be realized by controlling two competing reactions. Electrochemical and UV-visible measurements suggest that the product might have potential applications in lithium batteries and semiconductor electronics. This synthetic process is simple, mild, clean, reproducible, and free of any template; it provides a novel pathway for the low-temperature growth of nanowires and their simultaneous oriented alignment.