Si3N4 nanorods have been synthesized by nitriding borosilicate glass with ammonia. The formed Si3N4 nanorods exhibit significant crystallization, and are 20 to 80 nm in diameter and 10 to 100 mum in length. Some nanorods are wrapped by amorphous Si2N2O. The formation of the Si3N4 nanorods is explained based on the vapor-solid growth mechanism; the borosilicate glass substrate and the formation of SiO vapor via a solid-diffusion reaction betw...
