Novel tungsten oxide microneedles with nanosized tips

摘要

In this study, we have developed an innovative processing technique to synthesize oxide microneedles with nanotips by in situ vapor deposition. Single-crystal needles of tungsten oxide W_(18)O_(49), with their root diameter of ～ 1 μm and tip diameter of several nanometers, are successfully fabricated by this low-cost technique. Because of their sharp tips and excellent field emission property, the synthesized microneedles have the great potential to be used as tips for many micro-and nanodevices. Furthermore, this technique provides a basis to produce other oxide microneedles for functional and structural use.