Growth, structure, luminescence and mechanical resonance of Bi2O3 nano- and microwires

Abstract

α-Bi₂O₃ hierarchical structures formed by multibranched micro- and nanowires have been grown by an evaporation–deposition method. The morphology, composition, structure, and several physical properties of the obtained nanowires have been investigated. The relative intensities of photoluminescence bands related to Bi²⁺ ions and oxygen vacancies have been found to depend on the composition of the precursor used in the growth process. In situ scanning electron microscope measurements of the mechanical resonance frequency of the microwires have been used to determine their Young's modulus, which was found to depend on the wire dimensions, with values ranging from 11 GPa to 284 GPa. The quality factors measured suggest that Bi₂O₃ wires may have potential applications as micromechanical resonators.