Electrochemical growth of single-crystal metal nanowires via a two-dimensional nucleation and growth mechanism

Metallic nanowires (Au, Ag, Cu, Ni, Co, and Rh) with an average diameter of 40 nm and a length of 3-5 mum have been fabricated by electrodeposition in the pores of track-etched polycarbonate membranes. Structural characterizations by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron diffraction showed that nanowires of Au, Ag, and Cu are single-crystalline with a preferred [111] orientation, whereas Ni, Co, and Rh wires are polycrystalline. Possible mechanisms responsible for nucleation and growth for single-crystal noble metals versus polycrystalline group VIII-B metals are discussed.