Synthesis of rectangular cross-section AlN nanofibers by chemical vapor deposition

Rectangular cross-section AlN nanofibers have been synthesized by a simple chemical vapor deposition method using Al, Fe2O3 and NH3 as reactants at 800 °C. The nanofibers, which are single-crystalline hexagonal wurtzite AlN growing along [0 0 1] direction, are several hundreds of micrometers in length and 10-200 nm in width. The growth mechanism of this nanostructure at relatively low temperature was discussed, and it is revealed that Fe2O3 plays a key role in lowering the synthesis temperature. This nanofiber can be expected to serve as reinforcement for electrical packaging and structural composites, and piezoelectric nanosensors, etc.