Synthesis of nanometer-scale boron phosphide whiskers by vapor-liquid-solid chemical vapor deposition

Abstract

Densely packed layers of boron phosphide whiskers have been grown on quartz, tungsten, and graphite substrates by chemical vapor deposition. Nickel and silver acted as liquid forming agents in a vapor-liquid-solid growth mechanism. The formed whiskers have diameters typically between 10 and 5000 nm, depending on the substrate material, the seeding metal, and the synthesis temperature. The length of the whiskers can be as large as 0.1 mm. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy imaging revealed that the whiskers are single crystalline with a large number of twin faces. © 1996 American Institute of Physics.