A simple template-based hot-press method for the fabrication of metal and polymer nanowires and nanotubes

A simple template-based hot-press method has been developed to fabricate metal and polymer nanowires and nanotubes. By using this method, indium, tin, and poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) copolymer nanowires and nanotubes with diameters ranging from 50 to 300 nm and lengths up to 60 mu m were successfully obtained. The effects of the hot-press temperature and the pore size of the template on the formation of nanowires and nanotubes are discussed. The present method is comparatively simple, efficient and low cost, and can be readily extended to prepare other nanowires and nanotubes using a variety of low melting point materials as the starting precursors.