Formation of Si Nanowires by Electro-reduction of Porous Ni/SiO_2 Blocks in Molten CaCl_2

摘要

Electro-reduction of porous Ni/SiO_2 blocks has been investigated in molten CaCl_2 at 1173 K aiming to control the morphology of the produced silicon nanowires. It was confirmed that silicon nanowires with straight morphology were successfully prepared, and nano-sized nickel-silicon droplets formed at the head of silicon nanowires. The prepared silicon nanowires had a wide diameter distribution ranging from 80 to 350 nm, and a length as long as several micrometers. Cyclic voltammograms indicated that nickel additives did not change the mechanism of electrochemical reduction of SiO_2.