Template-assisted Electrodeposition of Freestanding Sn, In and Sn-In Nanowire Arrays in an Ionic Liquid

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Physical Chemistry Department, National Research Centre

2 Faculty of Science, ain shams University

Abstract

In this paper we report on the template assisted electrochemical synthesis of Sn, In, and Sn-In nanowire arrays in the air and water stable ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethylsulfonate ([EMIm]TfO). Polycarbonate membrane was employed as a template for the synthesis of nanowires. The electrochemical synthesis of nanowire arrays occurred in two steps; the electrodeposition inside the pores of the membrane and the chemical dissolution of the membrane. The results show that high quality, freestanding nanowire arrays of Sn, In and Sn-In, can be made in the employed ionic liquid electrolytes via a template-assisted electrodeposition regime. The reported synthesis process is quite facile and assures the formation of mechanically stable, freestanding nanowire arrays.

Keywords

Main Subjects