Use of slag (CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-MgO) droplet as a catalyst to grow MgO whiskers through VLS mechanism

摘要

MgO whiskers have a variety of potential applications like nanoelectronics, sensing devices and to improve mechanical properties of high temperature superconductors like MgB2, and MgO-C refractory used in the steel industry. The growth of whiskers is known to be catalyzed by the presence of a liquid droplet at the whisker tip, generally known as the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth mechanism. Several metallic systems like Au, Mg-Si, Al-Mg and Ni have been used as a catalyst.