Figure 2: SiO nanostructure with In as catalyst in VLS growth.

(a) An s.e.m. image of the product. Particles in the background have been de-emphasized in Fig. 2a for clarity (the original image is given in Supplementary Fig. 3). (b) A TEM image of the SiO nanostructures prepared through VLS growth with In catalyst. The tips of the nanowire contain an In metal particle. (c) Plot of 1/L against the serial number. The spherical droplet on the tip of the product is the starting point for the measurement of L and r. (d) Plot of diameter of dots against L. Error bars represent s.d.