Growth of epitaxial tungsten oxide nanorods

A simple vapour deposition technique was used to prepare WO3 one-dimensional nanostructures. WO3 is sublimated at a relatively low temperature (550 °C) in air at atmospheric pressure. The sublimated species are condensed on mica substrate at 500 °C. Single crystalline nanorods are grown in epitaxy on the mica surface with a growth axis along [0 1 0] directions and (0 0 1) plane parallel to the substrate. A growth process is proposed in which the formation of a one-dimensional tetragonal tungsten bronze as precursor is the determining factor.