With no Color and Scent (part II): Metal and Alloy Microstructures-Handmade Replicas of Natural Objects

Abstract

As a continuation of work on metal and alloy "plants" synthesis on porous membranes by means of pulsed current electroplating volume metallic microstructures resembling such natural objects as shells, cabbage leaves, mushrooms are grown and presented in their modest elegance. Such structures are formed from PdNi and PdCo alloys as well as Ag, Cu and Ni in conditions defined by the shape of membrane pores and the parameters of the pulsed current. It is shown that the obtained complex structures are formed by layers of metallic nanowires as a result of their self-assembly while growing during the pulsed current electroplating process. Depending on the shape of the membrane and the regime of the pulsed current electroplating either one type of shell-like structures or various structures can be grown.