Thermodynamic analysis for the size-dependence of nanowire composition grown by a vapor–liquid–solid method

A fundamental thermodynamic approach for the size dependence of the Si sub(1-xGe) sub(x) alloy nanowire composition grown by a vapor-liquid-solid method is proposed. It is shown that the experimentally observed size dependence of the Si sub(1-xGe) sub(x) alloy nanowire composition originates from the capillarity effect. The direct effect of the capillarity on the composition of liquid droplets is clarified and rationalized based on the solution thermodynamics. The present approach can be a starting point for more sophisticated and quantitative studies to predict and control the composition of alloy nanowires synthesized by similar methods.