Biotemplating fabrication, mechanical and electrical characterizations of NbC nanowire arrays from the bamboo substrate

In this work, NbC nanowire arrays were successfully synthesized via a facile and cost-effective biotemplate method. Natural bamboo chips were used as both the carbon source and the template for formation of catalyst particles, which significantly simplify the synthesis process of NbC nanowire arrays. Based on the structural, morphological, and elemental analyses, a fluoride-assisted vapor–liquid–solid growth mechanism was proposed. In situ nanoscale three-point bending measurements demonstrated that the Young’s modulus of NbC nanowires was in the range from 281 to 453 GPa with an average value of 338 ± 55 GPa. The resistivity of NbC nanowires was further investigated by in situ electrical property characterization using a multipoint measurement inside a transmission electron microscope. The resistivity of NbC nanowires was calculated to be 5.02 mΩ cm.

Graphical abstractNbC nanowire arrays were synthesized via a facile and cost-effective biotemplate method using bamboo chips as both the carbon source and the template, which showed remarkable mechanical and electrical properties.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► NbC nanowire arrays were successfully synthesized via a facile and cost-effective biotemplate method. ► For the first time, we investigated the mechanical properties of NbC nanowires via in situ AFM techniques. ► For the first time, we studied the resistivity of NbC nanowires via in situ TEM techniques.