Nanowires network

A method for preparing a network of nanowires comprising the steps of:

• i. providing a gas flow mixture to a reaction vessel, said gas flow mixture comprising:
• at least one precursor compound comprising at least one element selected from Si, Ge, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ga, In, As, Se, Ni, Ta, Pt, Mo, W, N, O, Co, Mn, Li and Te;
• wherein the at least one precursor compound is an hydride or organometallic compound;
• and
• metallic catalyst particles comprising one or more elements selected from Au, Ag, Cu, Fe, Ni, Ga, Co, Pt, In and Al;
• wherein the at least one precursor compound is in the gas flow mixture in a mole fraction (xi) of at least 0.005;
• wherein the temperature inside the reaction vessel is in a range of between 1250 to 1450° C.;
• and
• wherein the at least one precursor compound decomposes under the temperature inside the reaction vessel and grows on the metallic catalyst particles,
• to form a network of nanowires;
• wherein the network of nanowires comprises solid nanowires, hollow nanowires or mixtures thereof.