Contact Interaction in an M–SiO2 (M = Metal Catalyst for Nanowhisker Growth) System

Abstract

We have studied contact interaction effects and wettability in M–SiO₂ (M = metal catalyst for nanowhisker growth) systems. The results demonstrate that the wettability of SiO₂ by the metal catalysts for nanowhisker growth (Au, Ni, Cu, and Sn) improves with a decrease in the first ionization potential of their atoms and is determined by dispersion interaction with the oxide surface. The interaction of the metal atoms with the O^2– anions of the oxide is responsible for the development of cohesion between the liquid metal and SiO₂ on the interface.