Methods for forming a silicon-based material layer are disclosed along with silicon-based material layers formed by the method and devices incorporating the silicon-based material layer. The method includes forming an amorphous layer on a silicon-based substrate, doping at least a region of the amorphous layer with a metal ion, and crystallizing the amorphous layer to form a plurality of crystal grains, wherein a grain boundary is between adjacent crystal grains and metal silicide is formed at the grain boundary. The formed metal silicide has nanowire dimensions.