BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a nanowire structures and methods of manufacturing nanowire structures.

Background

One dimensional (1D) ceramic nanowires (NWs) exhibit ultra-high stiffness and strength. When used as a reinforcement filler, 1D ceramic NWs can significantly improve the load-bearing characteristics of epoxy, metal, glass, and polymer composites. However, most conventional synthesis methods of ceramic NWs have proved to be difficult and not appropriate for low-cost industrial scale production. The high price of ceramic NWs is related to the use of expensive synthesis tools and precursors, corrosive and dangerous chemicals, and small throughput (mass of NWs produced in the reactors per unit reactor volume per unit time) using conventional techniques, such as various template-assisted approaches, chemical vapor deposition, and electrospinning.

Accordingly, there remains a need for improved manufacturing of NWs and/or nanofibers.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, metal-organic nanowires or nanofibers comprising polymer chains with around 100 or more repeat units are synthesized. The metal-organic nanowires or nanofibers are exposed to a reactive gas at a temperature in excess of around 100° C. and at a pressure in the range from around 0.001 to around 100 atmospheres.

