ABSTRACT
Single crystalline nanowires have the potential to exhibit ideal material characteristics for the design of nanotechnology-based fuel cells. The fabrication of the Cu3Si nanowires can be conducted by an oblique angle (co)deposition technique in a two-source electron-beam deposition system, where two quartz crystal microbalances can be installed to monitor the near-normal deposition thickness and rate of each source independently. Self-assembly of copper silicide (Cu-Si) by e-beam evaporation will produce single crystalline and low-defect-density nanowires, which are ideal test systems to study the fundamental properties and integration into Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. The chapter presents a high-resolution analysis of Cu-Si nanowires grown by the e-beam evaporation method. It discusses the results from the characterization of the self-assembled nanowires. Two major drawbacks have hindered the application of Si structures as anodes for Li-ion batteries. One is related to its electrical conductivity, which is much lower than graphite anodes. Consequently, during the charging process, the Li-ions cannot penetrate deep into the active Si anodes.
