| Abstract Scope |
This talk will illustrate how ion-track nanotechnology provides an excellent platform (i) to fabricate tailored nanochannel sensors, (ii) to fabricate nanowires and investigate their size-dependent properties, and (iii) to develop 3-D and multicomponent nanostructure assemblies. Membranes with parallel nanochannels are fabricated by swift heavy ion irradiation and subsequent chemical etching of the ion-tracks. In addition, membranes with interconnected tilted nanochannels are obtained by applying consecutive ion irradiation steps at several incident angles. Nanochannel density and orientation, as well as diameter and geometry, are adjusted by the irradiation and etching conditions, respectively. Nanochannel diameter is typically varied between ~20 nm and ~few µm. The length, given by the polymer foil thickness, amounts up to ~100 µm. Subsequent electrodeposition in the channels results in nanowire arrays and highly ordered 3-D nanowire ensembles of various materials. Recent developments achieved on the electrodeposition of metal (Cu, Au1-xAgx), semiconductor (ZnO and p-Cu2O) and semimetal (Bi, Sb) nanowire arrays and networks will be presented. |