Stress-induced domain dynamics and phase transitions in epitaxially grown VO₂ nanowires.

Journal article

We demonstrate that surface stresses in epitaxially grown VO₂ nanowires (NWs) have a strong effect on the appearance and stability of intermediate insulating M₂ phases, as well as the spatial distribution of insulating and metallic domains during structural phase transitions. During the transition from an insulating M1 phase to a metallic R phase, the coexistence of insulating M₁ and M₂ phases with the absence of a metallic R phase was observed at atmospheric pressure. In addition, we show that, for a VO₂ NW without the presence of an epitaxial interface, surface stresses dominantly lead to spatially inhomogeneous phase transitions between insulating and metallic phases. In contrast, for a VO₂ NW with the presence of an epitaxial interface, the strong epitaxial interface interaction leads to additional stresses resulting in uniformly alternating insulating and metallic domains along the NW length.

Authors: Sohn, J; Joo, H; Kim, K; Yang, H; Jang, A

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Nanotechnology
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 20
• Pages: 205707
• Publication date: 2012-05-01
• DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/23/20/205707
• EISSN: 1361-6528
• ISSN: 0957-4484
• Language: English
• Keywords: Materials Testing; Models, Molecular; Surface Properties; Phase Transition; Molecular Conformation; Particle Size; Vanadium Compounds; Computer Simulation; Models, Chemical; Electric Conductivity; Nanostructures; Stress, Mechanical