3D-mesostructures obtained by self-organization of metallic nanowires

TL;DR

This paper reports on the self-organization process of metallic nanowires into complex 3D mesostructures with fractal features, achieved through programmable pulse current electrodeposition, revealing hierarchical nano- and microstructures.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for fabricating complex 3D metallic mesostructures with hierarchical and fractal features using self-organization of nanowires.

Findings

Reproducible formation of seashell, fungus, and lotus leaf-shaped structures.

Hierarchical fractal-like nanostructures with nanocrystalline and amorphous components.

Potential application as a 3D nano-architectural printer.

Abstract

The architecture of novel metallic mesostructures obtained via self-organization of growing nanowires has been investigated. Seashell, fungus and lotus leafshaped structures are reproducibly formed by programmable pulse current electrodeposition on porous membranes. The samples several millimeters in size are obtained. SEM investigation has revealed that the frame of the metallic seashell presents a hierarchical system with elements of fractal selfsimilarity at the nano- and microlevels. The frame is a volumetric multilayer net with conical bundles of nanowires as building blocks. The Pd-Ni nanowires have V-like branches and periodic bulges . TEM study showed that the nanowires consist of nanocrystallites dispersed in an amorphous matrix. Their sizes range from 4 to 15 nm. Local inhomogeneity of PdNi solid solution was observed. In perspective, the proposed technique can be used as a 3D printer for the purposeful synthesis of novel materials with complex quantum nano-architecture.