Epitaxy of Ge nanowires grown from biotemplated Au nanoparticle catalysts.

Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) are being actively investigated due to their unique functional properties which result from their quasi-one-dimensional structure. However, control over the crystallographic growth direction, diameter, location, and morphology of high-density NWs is essential to achieve the desirable properties and to integrate these NWs into miniaturized devices. This article presents evidence for the suitability of a biological templated catalyst approach to achieve high-density, epitaxial growth of NWs via the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism.

Entropically driven self-assembly of Lysinibacillus sphaericus S-layer proteins analyzed under various environmental conditions.

S-Layer proteins are an example of bionanostructures that can be exploited in nanofabrication. In addition to their ordered structure, the ability to self-assembly is a key feature that makes them a promising technological tool. Here, in vitro self-assembly kinetics of SpbA was investigated, and found that it occurs at a rate that is dependent on temperature, its concentration, and the concentration of calcium ions and sodium chloride.

Vertical growth of Ge nanowires from biotemplated Au nanoparticle catalysts.

Semiconductor nanowires are being actively investigated because of their unique physical properties and potential applications in nanoelectronics and optoelectronic devices. However, current hurdles for device integration include the lack of control over the orientation, location, and packing density of nanowires. This communication presents for the first time the use of a unique, bottom-up approach for the catalyzed growth of semiconductor nanowires via biological templating.