Novel dual-chirality heterostructure nanoscrews and kinetics imaging of linear-to-rotary growth

Abstract

The controllable synthesis and growth kinetics of new nanostructures has an enormous impact on the fabrication and application of nanomaterials, and continues to be a central challenge in nanoscience and nanotechnology. On the other hand, sophisticated helical structures have been an attractive subject due to its significance in understanding biological self-assembly and appealing application in nanoscience. Here, we report the synthesis of novel dual-chirality hetero nanoscrews with controllable backbones and circles of SiO₂ spiral threads by a single-step method and reveal experimentally its growth kinetics imaging for the first time. The nanoscrews are composed of amorphous SiO₂ winds around cone-shaped single crystal β-SiC backbone via linear-to-rotary growth process. Our finding might open a new door to understand the growth process of sophisticated helical nanostructures.