Mesoscopic Models of Plants Composed of Metallic Nanowires

Abstract

Various metallic structures of complex shape resembling living plant organisms (biomimetics) are produced as a result of selfassembly of nanowires growing on porous membranes in the course of pulse current electrodeposition. These structures occur if the electroplating is continued after the nanowires appear on the membrane surface. By varying the membrane ge- ometry, pulse current electroplating parameters, and alternating electrodeposition from two baths composed of a variety of electrolytes, diverse models were fabricated, including a hollow container with a wall thickness of 10 nm to 20 nm. This biomimetic method suggests an analogy between the shape forming processes of plants and their metallic models. Nanostruc- tured mesostructures of various metals (Ag, Pd, Ni), alloys (PdNi, PbIn) and hybrid structures (PdNiPb, PdNiPbIn) were obtained. They can be of interest for fundamental research (self-assembly, morphogenesis) as well as for applications in nanotechnology (catalysis, nanoplasmonics, medicine, superhydrophobic surfaces).