Self‐Supporting Metal Nanotube Networks Obtained by Highly Conformal Electroless Plating

Abstract

We present a versatile approach for the fabrication of well‐defined networks of interconnected metal nanotubes, which applies electroless plating to ion‐track‐etched polymer templates that enclose designed pore networks. In order to obtain self‐supporting structures, the deposition reactions must be optimized to yield conformal nanoscale metal films on microstructured substrates possessing extensive inner surfaces. Using this route, gold, copper, silver, nickel, and platinum nanotube networks are synthesized. The resulting structures can be handled macroscopically and combine a large surface area with continuous mass transport and conduction pathways, rendering them promising for application in, for example, electrocatalysis and sensing. This potential is demonstrated by employing a gold nanotube network for the amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide, in which excellent sensitivity, catalyst utilization, and stability is achieved.

Electroless Nanoplating of Pd−Pt Alloy Nanotube Networks: Catalysts with Full Compositional Control for the Methanol Oxidation Reaction

“…Therefore, NTNWs combine the advantages of NPs, namely functionality and high surface area, with the advantages of a network structure that is stable, convenient to handle, efficient in mass transfer and providing continuous conduction pathways . Optimized NT catalysts exhibit a high density of easily accessible active sites and are more durable as compared to carbon‐supported nanoparticle catalysts …”

“…[1,2,9] Besides synthetic approaches for creating Pd catalysts with distinct architecture, [26][27][28] the implementation of Pd in alloyed Pt-nanotube networks (NTNWs) represents an interesting structure for catalysis applications, because we can combine compositional, synergistic effects between Pd and Pt with the general advantages of NTNWs: NTNWs are freestanding, open-porous structures that consist of NPs as interconnected building blocks. [1,2,[29][30][31] Therefore, NTNWs combine the advantages of NPs, namely functionality and high surface area, with the advantages of a network structure that is stable, convenient to handle, efficient in mass transfer and providing continuous conduction pathways. [1,2,[29][30][31] Optimized NT catalysts exhibit a high density of easily accessible active sites and are more durable as compared to carbon-supported nanoparticle catalysts.…”

“…[1,2,[29][30][31] Therefore, NTNWs combine the advantages of NPs, namely functionality and high surface area, with the advantages of a network structure that is stable, convenient to handle, efficient in mass transfer and providing continuous conduction pathways. [1,2,[29][30][31] Optimized NT catalysts exhibit a high density of easily accessible active sites and are more durable as compared to carbon-supported nanoparticle catalysts. [1,2,[29][30][31] Alloying Pt with transition metals represents a major strategy for enhancing its activity via compositional effects that result from bifunctionality and the alloy's electronic system, dependent on the second alloyed metal.…”

“…[1,2,[29][30][31] Optimized NT catalysts exhibit a high density of easily accessible active sites and are more durable as compared to carbon-supported nanoparticle catalysts. [1,2,[29][30][31] Alloying Pt with transition metals represents a major strategy for enhancing its activity via compositional effects that result from bifunctionality and the alloy's electronic system, dependent on the second alloyed metal. [32][33][34] Pt-based bimetallic nanomaterials (e. g., with Cu, Ir, Ni, Pd, Ru) have been in the focus of catalysis and energy research.…”

Electroless Synthesis of Highly Stable and Free‐Standing Porous Pt Nanotube Networks and their Application in Methanol Oxidation

“…However, due to high material costs and structure‐dependency of catalytic performance, a precise control of nanostructure fabrication is required. A highly suitable and scalable approach is represented by template‐assisted synthesis methods, which allow the direct variation of the product structure, and thus facilitate tailoring the catalytic performance …”