Nanomechnical Characterization of One-Step Combustion-Synthesized Al\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3eB\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e9\u3c/sub\u3e and Al\u3csub\u3e18\u3c/sub\u3eB\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e33\u3c/sub\u3e Nanowires

Two kinds of aluminum borate nanowires, Al4B2O9 and Al18B4O33, 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 Al18B4O33 nanowires compared with their bulk counterpart. Al18B4O33 nanowires exhibited higher hardness and elastic modulus than Al4B2O9 nanowires