An in situ EIS study during the electrochemical growth of copper nanowires into porous polycarbonate membranes

Detailed information about the electrochemical and physicochemical phenomena associated with copper nanowire growth within the nanosized pores of polycarbonate track-etched membranes (PCM) was in situ obtained by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. From an equivalent circuit that reproduces the ac-impedance results, it was found that the charge-transfer resistances associated with the Cu2+ -> Cu+ and Cu+ -> Cu degrees electrochemical processes presented low and high values, respectively. It was also possible to observe the change from a diffusional growth process inside the pores (first stages) to a growth process in solution (film formation onto PCM). (c) 2007 The Electrochemical Society.