(40a) Nanowires through Oriented Attachment or Nanoscale Self-Assembly

Metal nanowires with ultrathin diameters can be synthesized through oriented attachment or self-assembly without the involvement of any template. The success of such a synthesis relies on the use of a proper combination of precursor and reducing agent that can generate a large number of extremely small nanoparticles. Due to a quick depletion of precursor, the small nanoparticles are unable to grow in size through atomic addition. In the case of poor stabilization, the small nanoparticles automatically go through coalesce into ultrathin nanowires with a wavy morphology via oriented attachment. Thanks to the unique structure and involvement of planar defects, the as-obtainedultrathin nanowires typically show catalytic performance greater than the conventional catalyst based on supported nanoparticles This mechanism not only offers a powerful route to the synthesis of nanowires through attachment-based growth but also opens the door to the rational design and fabrication of novel metal nanostructures with enhanced properties.