Mesoscopic Models of Plants Composed of Metallic Nanowires

Abstract

Various metallic structures of complex shape resembling living plant organisms (biomimetics) are produced as a result of self-assembly of nanowires growing on porous membranes in the course of pulse current electrodeposition. These structures occur if the electroplating is continued after the nanowires appear on the membrane surface. By varying the membrane geometry, pulse current electroplating parameters, and alternating electrodeposition from two baths composed of a variety of electrolytes, diverse models were fabricated, including a hollow container with a wall thickness of 10 nm -20 nm. This biomimetic method suggests an analogy between the shape-forming processes of plants and their metallic models. Nanostructured mesostructures of various metals (Ag, Pd, Ni), alloys (PdNi, PbIn) and hybrid structures (PdNi/Pb, PdNi/PbIn) were obtained. They can be of interest for fundamental research (self-assembly, morphogenesis) as well as for applications in nanotechnology (catalysis, nanoplasmonics, medicine, superhydrophobic surfaces).

Interaction of 3D mesostructures composed of Pd-Ni alloy nanowires with low-temperature oxygen plasma

“…Fig.1 presents convex-concave mesoscopic structures composed of Pd-Ni nanowires ("seashells") that were grown by the described techniques [2,3]. The seashell wall is covered by a thin outer layer [3].…”

“…Previously, we reported on an effective electrochemical method for the fabrication of mesoporous hierarchical structures composed of metallic nanowires [1][2][3][4]. Very recently, 3D structures of nanowires Pt 3 Co with an enhanced electro-catalytic activity were obtained by a hydrothermal method [5].…”

3D-mesostructures obtained by self-organization of metallic nanowires

“…Such structures occur as a result of the self-organization of nanowires growing from membrane pores. One interesting property of the obtained mesostructures was their apparent similarity with natural objects: plants, shells, mushrooms (biomimetics) [2,3]. Various micromodels of the plants, including hollow tubular containers with 10-20 nm thick walls, were grown by means of changing pulse current parameters, using different membranes and layer-by-layer electrodeposition from two different electrolytes [3].…”

“…One interesting property of the obtained mesostructures was their apparent similarity with natural objects: plants, shells, mushrooms (biomimetics) [2,3]. Various micromodels of the plants, including hollow tubular containers with 10-20 nm thick walls, were grown by means of changing pulse current parameters, using different membranes and layer-by-layer electrodeposition from two different electrolytes [3]. Conditions for the reproducible growth of lotus leafand shell-like convex-concave microstructures were found [2][3][4].…”

“…Various micromodels of the plants, including hollow tubular containers with 10-20 nm thick walls, were grown by means of changing pulse current parameters, using different membranes and layer-by-layer electrodeposition from two different electrolytes [3]. Conditions for the reproducible growth of lotus leafand shell-like convex-concave microstructures were found [2][3][4]. The present paper describes the architecture and structure of the Pd-Ni alloy "seashells" grown by pulse current electrodeposition.…”