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Influence of diameter on high-pressure induced phase transitions in bismuth nanowire networks

Christopher Schröck*

Ioannis Tzifas, Kay-Obbe Voss, Michael F. P. Wagner, and Christina Trautmann

Lkhamsuren Bayarjargal, Dominik Spahr4, and Björn Winkler4

Maria Eugenia Toimil-Molares†

  • *Contact author: c.schroeck@gsi.de
  • †Contact author: m.e.toimilmolares@gsi.de
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Phys. Rev. B 112, 014111 – Published 22 July, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/c4fw-p99m

Abstract

Size-dependent behavior of bismuth nanowire networks under high-pressure conditions was investigated at room temperature. Three-dimensional networks of freestanding interconnected bismuth nanowires with diameters between 34 and 85nm were synthesized by electrodeposition in ion-track etched membranes, along with microcrystals as bulk analogues. Both types of samples were simultaneously compressed in diamond anvil cells under hydrostatic conditions up to 19.5GPa. Synchrotron x-ray diffraction data reveal a shift of the Bi-I/-II, Bi-II/-III, and Bi-III/-V phase transition to higher-pressure values for decreasing nanowire diameter. In case of the thinnest wires, compression and decompression cycles revealed hysteresislike behavior of the shifts and a pronounced coexistence of the Bi-III and Bi-V phases upon compression. All samples exhibited bulklike compression behavior, as reflected in the evolution of their lattice parameter and bulk modulus. Only nanowires in the Bi-III phase showed a slightly reduced modulus compared to the corresponding bulk value. The systematic size dependence highlights the importance of excellent control on the geometrical parameters of the nanowires and consistent experimental conditions. The mechanical stability of the three-dimensional nanowire networks allowed the pressurization of samples of varying wire diameters under identical experimental conditions and facilitates systematic studies of size effects in nanomaterials with diameters as small as 10nm.

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Phys. Rev. B 112, 014111– Published 22 July, 2025
  • Received 18 March 2025
  • Revised 18 June 2025
  • Accepted 23 June 2025
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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