Formation mechanisms of a nano-island array of Zn nanocrystals embedded in a SiO2 nanowire by using electrospinning and electron-beam irradiation

A nano-island array of approximately 7-nm-diameter Zn single crystals embedded in a SiO2 nanowire was created by using electrospinning and electron-beam irradiation. Bright-field transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) images, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and fast-Fourier-transformed electron diffraction patterns showed that Zn nanocrystals were created inside the SiO2 nanowire. The formation mechanisms of Zn nanoparticles embedded in a SiO2 nanowire due to the decomposition of ZnO and SiO2 nanoparticles are described on the basis of the HRTEM images and the EDS profiles.

Research highlights
► A nano-island array of approximately 7-nm-diameter Zn single crystals embedded in a SiO2 nanowire was created by using electrospinning and electron-beam irradiation
► Bright-field transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) images, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and fast-Fourier-transformed electron diffraction patterns showed that Zn nanocrystals were created inside a SiO2 nanowire
► The formation mechanisms of Zn nanoparticles embedded in a SiO2 nanowire due to the decomposition of ZnO and SiO2 nanoparticles are described on the basis of the HRTEM images and the EDS profiles
► These results can help to improve understanding of the formation mechanisms for a nano-island array of Zn nanocrystals embedded in a SiO2 nanowire by using electrospinning and electron-beam irradiation.