Patent ID: 8603246

Claim:
A system for synthesis of silicon nanowires comprising: a growth reactor having a decomposition zone, a deposition zone located downstream from the decomposition zone, and an intermediate zone located between the decomposition zone and the deposition zone; a polymeric substrate located within the deposition zone; at least three separate heating elements comprising at least one heating element configured to separately maintain a temperature of from about 350° C. to about 700° C. in the decomposition zone, at least one heating element configured to separately maintain a temperature in the intermediate zone that is less than the temperature in the decomposition zone, and at least one heating element configured to separately maintain a temperature in the deposition zone that is less than the temperature in the intermediate zone; catalyst materials deposited onto the substrate to form a growth area; and activated species generated in the decomposition zone being carried to and located in the deposition zone, wherein the activated species is generated in the decomposition zone by decomposing a precursor gas, the activated species and the catalyst materials react within the deposition zone and form nano-structured materials within the growth area, and each of the decomposition zone, the intermediate zone, and the deposition zone are individually heated by separate heating elements to maintain the temperature of each zone.