Mesoporous single-crystal ZnO nanowires epitaxially sheathed with Zn2SiO4

High-porosity, single-crystal ZnO nanowires have been synthesized for the first time using a solid-vapor process on a Si substrate. ne thermal decomposition of ZnO and the formation of a Zn2SiO4 network on the nanowire surface are the keys for forming the high-porosity interior. The structures exhibit a very high surface-to-volume ratio and are expected to have high absorptive capacity and chemical selectivity that could be used for filter and sensor systems.