Silver nanowire arrays electrochemically grown into nanoporous anodic alumina templates

Abstract

Silver nanowire arrays with high aspect ratios have been prepared using potentiostatic electrodeposition within the confined nanochannels of a commercial porous anodic aluminium oxide template. The nucleation and growth processes are intensively studied by current versus time transients. Scanning electron microscopy results show that the nanowires have a highly anisotropic structure with diameters and lengths of 170 nm and 58 µm, respectively, which coincide with the dimensions of the template used. Structural characterization using x-ray diffraction shows that the Ag nanowires are highly crystalline, and those obtained at higher overpotentials present a very strong [220] preferred crystallographic orientation. The optical properties of the silver nanowires embedded in the alumina template show a clear edge close to 320 nm, that is an expected value for a silver–alumina composite material.

Single-crystal silver nanowires: Preparation and Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) property

“…The disadvantage of silver electrodeposition from AgNO 3 solutions is the poor quality of the electroformed metal [2]. Thus, the electrodeposition from silver complex solutions is preferred.…”

“…Thus, the electrodeposition from silver complex solutions is preferred. Previous research shows that the deposition of silver nanowires from solutions formed principally with a diversity of additives: acetaldehyde [12], cyanide [10], potassium thiocyanate [8] and nitric acid [2]. Some of these solutions are toxicity, or the pH values are too low or too high, so they are not applicable for AAO template because the solubility process of amorphous alumina membranes begins at pH < 5 and pH > 8.2 [13].…”

“…Among them, silver nanowires or nanorods have been recently prepared and studied by several groups using templates [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Generally, the template method is cheap and easy to operate, and can produce nanowires with uniform diameters ranging from several nanometers to hundreds of nanometers in large area.…”

The Study to Investigate Growth Rate of Metal Nanowires into Anodic Alumina Oxide Arrays via Electrodeposition

“…Metal nanowires have attracted a great deal of research interest in recent years because of their electronic and optical properties [1] and potential applications in nanodevices [2]. Several groups prepared and studied the silver nanowires or nanorods using templates [1][2][3].…”

“…Several groups prepared and studied the silver nanowires or nanorods using templates [1][2][3]. Currently, the synthesis of nanowires by the electrochemical deposition is of great interest.…”