β-Ga₂O₃ nanowires on unpatterned and patterned MgO single crystal substrates

Large-scale β-Ga₂O₃ nanowires and individual β-Ga₂O₃ nanowires bridging adjacent metal Ag catalyst islands were synthesized on the unpatterned and patterned MgO single crystal substrates by direct reaction of gallium and water vapor. The samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction. The results show that the line-like nanostructures are monoclinic β-Ga₂O₃ nanowires. The individual β-Ga₂O₃ nanowires are rooted in the islands, and some of them bridge adjacent islands of the Ag catalyst. This work offered the prospect of developing ultrafine nanoscale devices.