Hybrid nanocomposite of Fe nanoparticles on SiO2 nanowires by sublimation route

A simple route was developed to synthesize the hybrid nanocomposite with Fe nanoparticles (NPs) dispersed on the surface of SiO2 nanowires (NWs), where SiO2 NWs with the diameter of 20–40 nm were produced by heating single-crystal silicon wafer, and Fe NPs in the size range of 3–20 nm were generated by heating Fe powders. The nucleation and growth of Fe NPs follows the solid–vapor–solid (S–V–S) mechanism, namely, Fe powders firstly sublime and then Fe atoms deposit on SiO2 NWs to form Fe NPs.