Nanomechanical characterization of one-step combustion-synthesized Al(4)B(2)O(9) and Al(18)B(4)O(33) nanowires.

Two kinds of aluminum borate nanowires, Al(4)B(2)O(9) and Al(18)B(4)O(33), were successfully synthesized by a one-step combustion method through control of the Al:B atomic ratio and synthesis temperature. Both nanowires are single crystalline but have distinguishing growth habits. Nanoindentation tests were performed directly on individual nanowires to reveal their mechanical properties. A 70% reduction in elastic modulus was found in Al(18)B(4)O(33) nanowires compared with their bulk counterpart. Al(18)B(4)O(33) nanowires exhibited higher hardness and elastic modulus than Al(4)B(2)O(9) nanowires.