Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Vol.110, No.12, 5966-5969, 2006
High-aspect-ratio aluminum borate nanowire bundles supported by sucrose
High-aspect-ratio and single-crystal aluminum borate (Al18B4O33) nanowire bundles with an ordered orientation were synthesized by using an innovative sucrose-assisted growth process. The process involves the dehydration and polycondensation of aluminum borate-sucrose solution to form a highly viscous precursor. The sucrose plays a crucial role in the growth of the nanowire bundles by supporting as a polymeric substrate and a type of adhesive template. Electron microscopy was used to characterize the high-aspect-ratio nanowire bundles. A possible growth mechanism for the nanowire bundles is proposed.