Synthesis and Growth Mechanism of Ni Nanotubes and Nanowires

Abstract

Highly ordered Ni nanotube and nanowire arrays were fabricated via electrodeposition. The Ni microstructures and the process of the formation were investigated using conventional and high-resolution transmission electron microscope. Herein, we demonstrated the systematic fabrication of Ni nanotube and nanowire arrays and proposed an original growth mechanism. With the different deposition time, nanotubes or nanowires can be obtained. Tubular nanostructures can be obtained at short time, while nanowires take longer time to form. This formation mechanism is applicable to design and synthesize other metal nanostructures and even compound nanostuctures via template-based electrodeposition.

Figure 1

Typical SEM images of Ni nanotube and nanowire arrays obtained under different conditions: (a), (c) and (e) are top views of samples 1, 2 and 3 respectively; (b), (d) and (f) are side views of the samples 1, 2 and 3 respectively

Figure 2

TEM images of Ni nanowires and nanotubes: (a) sample 1, (b) sample 2, (c) sample 3 and (d) SEM image of AAO pores

Figure 3

HRTEM images of Ni nanowires and nanotubes for samples under different conditions: (a) sample 1, (b) sample 2 and (c) sample 3

Figure 4

aSchematic diagram of the growth process of nanotubes;bSchematic diagram of the growth process of nanowires (the white and black balls showing different crystallographic orientations)