Bulk quantity and long-scale amorphous SiO2 nanowires have been prepared simply by direct pyrolysis of an iron-modified perhydropolysilazane (Fe-PHPS) at 1300 °C in the flowing Ar atmosphere. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) study shows that most SiO2 nanowires
have smooth surface and they consist of straight and smoothly curved parts, with diameters in the range of 50 to 200 nm and lengths up to 200 μm. Beside this normal form of SiO2 nanowires via the typical vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism, four other different helical
forms of nanowires, named spring-shaped nanowires, twinborn nanospring, fishbone-shaped nanowires and braided-like helical SiO2 nanowires, are also observed. The formation of these nanowires is proposed to be the modulated contact angle anisotropy (CAA) mechanism based on the VLS
mechanism.