Metal elements occupy more than 70% of the positions in the periodic table, and their use has accelerated human civilization due to their invaluable chemical and physical characteristics. With the rapid development of metals, various structures of microscopic metal particles have been fabricated and investigated as functional materials in scientific research and practical applications. The phrase 'structure determines properties' has been widely acknowledged as a golden rule in chemistry and materials science, especially when the size of small particles is in the micro- or nanoscale dimension. Helical metallic micro- and nanostructures with complex shapes have recently emerged and may be used for various useful applications such as photonics, sensors, actuators, micro-/nanorobotics, and micro-/nanoelectronics, based on their unique mechanical, electrical, and electromagnetic properties. This review paper specifically focuses on the fabrication and application of helical metallic structures with a size ranging from the micro- to nanoscale. The unusual spatial distribution of active atoms in helical metallic micro- and nanostructures and their helical morphology could offer new opportunities for applications beyond those of other conventional metallic and nonmetallic micro- and nanostructures.

The demonstrated strategy is useful for constructing high-performance catalytic superstructures using nanoframes as building blocks, leading to the carbon-free Pt nanoparticle catalysts.

This work reports on the electrodeposition of rhodium (Rh) nanowires with a controlled surface morphology synthesized using an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template. Vertically aligned Rh nanowires with a smooth and coarse morphology were successfully deposited by adjusting the electrode potential and the concentration of precursor ions and by involving a complexing reagent in the electrolyte solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses were used to follow the morphological evolution of Rh nanowires. As a heterogeneous electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER), the coarse Rh nanowire array exhibited an enhanced catalytic performance respect to smooth ones due to the larger surface area to mass ratio and the higher density of catalytically active defects, as evidenced by voltammetric measurements and TEM. Results suggest that the morphology of metallic nanomaterials could be readily engineered by electrodeposition. The controlled electrodeposition offers great potential for the development of an effective synthesis tool for heterogeneous catalysts with a superior performance for wide applications.