Growth and characterization of aligned ultralong and diameter-controlled silicon nanotubes by hot wire chemical vapor deposition using electrospun poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) nanofiber template

Using aligned suspended polyvinyl pyrrolidone nanofibers array as template, aligned ultralong (about 4 mm) silicon nanotubes have been prepared by a hot wire chemical vapor deposition process. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy demonstrate that the inner diameter (35-200 nm) and wall thickness (20-400 nm) of Si tubes are controlled, respectively, by baking the electrospun nanofibers and by coating time. The tube wall is composed of nanoparticle or nanopillar, and the inner surface of the wall is smoother than the outer surface of the wall. The microphotoluminescence spectra of the thinner Si nanotubes show three light emission bands in the red, green, and blue regions. And the luminescence mechanism is explained according to the quantum-confinement-luminescence center process and radiative recombination from the defect centers.