Synthesis of Platinum Dendrites and Nanowires Via Directed Electrochemical Nanowire Assembly

• Published in: Nano letters Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 781 - 785
• Main Authors: Kawasaki, Jason K, Arnold, Craig B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 09-02-2011
• Subjects: Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Crystallization - methods; Electroplating - methods; Exact sciences and technology; Low-dimensional structures (superlattices, quantum well structures, multilayers): structure, and nonelectronic properties; Macromolecular Substances - chemistry; Materials science; Materials Testing; Molecular Conformation; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanotechnology - methods; Nanotubes - chemistry; Nanotubes - ultrastructure; Particle Size; Physics; Platinum - chemistry; Quantum wires; Surface Properties; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); platinum dendrite growth; metal nanodendrite; DENA; electrochemical deposition; nanowire sensor; Platinum nanowire; Alternating field; Growth rate; Platinum; Electric field effects; Growth mechanism; Dendrites; Nanowires; Nanostructures; Nanostructured materials
• ISSN: 1530-6984; 1530-6992
• DOI: 10.1021/nl1039956

Directed electrochemical nanowire assembly is a promising high growth rate technique for synthesizing electrically connected nanowires and dendrites at desired locations. Here we demonstrate the directed growth and morphological control of edge-supported platinum nanostructures by applying an alternating electric field across a chloroplatinic acid solution. The dendrite structure is characterized with respect to the driving frequency, amplitude, offset, and salt concentration and is well-explained by classical models. Control over the tip diameter, side branch spacing, and amplitude is demonstrated, opening the door to novel device architectures for sensing and catalytic applications.