Single-crystalline δ-Ni₂Si nanowires with excellent physical properties

In this article, we report the synthesis of single-crystalline nickel silicide nanowires (NWs) via chemical vapor deposition method using NiCl₂·6H₂O as a single-source precursor. Various morphologies of δ-Ni₂Si NWs were successfully acquired by controlling the growth conditions. The growth mechanism of the δ-Ni₂Si NWs was thoroughly discussed and identified with microscopy studies. Field emission measurements show a low turn-on field (4.12 V/μm), and magnetic property measurements show a classic ferromagnetic characteristic, which demonstrates promising potential applications for field emitters, magnetic storage, and biological cell separation.