Formation of Nanowires of Various Types in the Process of Galvanic Deposition of Iron Group Metals into the Pores of a Track Membrane

Membranes (Basel). 2022 Feb 8;12(2):195. doi: 10.3390/membranes12020195.

Abstract

The processes of formation of one-dimensional nanostructures by the method of matrix synthesis was studied in this work. Nanowires (NWs) from magnetic metals of iron-group and copper (3-d metals) were synthesized in the pores of matrix-track membranes by galvanic deposition. NWs with both homogeneous elemental distribution (alloys) and with periodically alternating parts with different composition (layers) were obtained in matrices with different pore diameters and under different parameters of the galvanic process. The transport of ions, which determined the growth of wires, in pores of different sizes was analyzed. The influence of the size of pore channels on the features of NWs growth, the correlation between the elemental composition of the NWs and the growth electrolyte, as well as the influence of the growth conditions (voltage and pore diameter) were investigated. Approaches to formation of thin layers in layered NWs were studied. This included the choice of methods for controlling the pulse duration, slowing down the growth rate by the dilution of the solution, the use of additives and the work with reference electrode. The study of NWs was carried out using visualization and analysis of their structure using transmission and scanning electron microscopy, electron diffraction, energy dispersive analysis, and elemental mapping. For the studied types of samples, a relationship was established between the growth conditions and the structure. This data raises the possibility of varying the magnetic properties of NWs.

Keywords: X-ray analysis; microscopy; nanowires; polymer membranes; template synthesis.