Track-etch membranes as templates enabled nano/micro technology: a review

Abstract

: Many techniques are being used in order to synthesize nano/micro materials falling under the realm of nanotechnology. It need not be overemphasized that the miniaturization of devices and synthesis of new materials have a tremendous role in the development of powerful electronics as well as material based technologies in other areas but for the laws of quantum mechanics posing limitations besides the increasing cost and difficulties in manufacturing in such a small scale. The quest, therefore, for the alternative technologies, have stimulated a surge of interest in nano-meter scale materials and devices in the recent years. Metallic as well as semiconducting nano wires are the most attractive materials because of their unique properties having myriad of applications like interconnects for nano-electronics, magnetic devices, chemical and biosensors, whereas the hollow tubules are equally considered to be candidates for more potent applications -both in physical as well as biosciences. Materials' processing for nano-structured devices is indispensable to their rational design. The technique, known as "Template Synthesis", using electrochemical/electro less deposition is one of the most important processes for manufacturing nano/micro structures, nano-composites and devices and is relatively inexpensive and simple. The technique involves using membranes -ion crafted ones (popularly known as Particle Track-Etch Membranes or Nuclear Track Filters), alumite substrate membranes, besides other types of membranes as templates. The parameters viz., diameter as well as length i.e., aspect ratio, shape and wall surface traits in these membranes are controllable.In the present article a detailed review of this technique using track-etch membranes as templates in synthesis of nano/micro materials including hybrid materials and devices like field-ion emitters, resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs) etc. is presented including most of the results obtained in our laboratory.

Ion beam fluence induced variation in optical band-gap of ZnO nanowires

“…In the past decade one-dimensional nanomaterials have been extensively synthesised, especially inorganic nanowires and hetero-junctions [1,2]. On behalf of its exceptionally important applications, ZnO attracts the attention of both the research as well as entrepreneur community [3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

Synthesis of Microwires of Polypyrrole via Chemical Polymerization using Track Etch Membrane as Template

“…Morphology, alignment and orientation of synthesized PPy microwires are quite uniform as they grow homogeneously via chemical polymerization within confined ordered and symmetric pores of host TEM template. The corresponding diameter and length of pores and synthesized microwires are similar for the reason that embedded pores within TEM template act as excellent moulds (Chakarvarti and Vetter, 1998;Enculescu, 2006;Chakarvarti, 2009). As far as the segment to segment and wire to wire variation is concerned, the same is understood to be negligible in conjunction with least variation of morphology and alignment of pores achieved by controlling homogeneity of the incident ion beam, target material and etching conditions while preparing the TEMs which is a well established distinct feature of ion track etch technique (Apel, 2001;Ferain and Legras, 2001;Nikezic and Yu, 2004;Sartowska et al, 2012;Kumar and Chakarvarti, 2006).…”

“…With the advances in new applications, it is required that the morphology of low dimensional structures can precisely be synthesized by altering the shape and size of the host template. For this, track etch membrane (TEM) is a good alternative to be used as a template (Kumar and Chakarvarti, 2006;Enculescu, 2006;Chakarvarti, 2009) because of their distinctive properties, which are controllable such as -optical transparency, smooth surface, pore size, pore density, shape, inertness, thinness, high mechanical strength, toughness, low diffusion rate that gives the membrane a unique overall performance (Chakarvarti, 2009). These membranes are formed by exposing the polymer sheet or some other insulating material with heavy ion particles resulting in the formation of latent tracks in the material which are subsequently etched by hydrofluoric acid to form pores.…”