Electrochemically fabricated zero-valent iron, iron-nickel, and iron-palladium nanowires for environmental remediation applications

Monodisperse crystalline zero-valent iron, iron-nickel, iron-palladium nanowires were synthesised using template-directed electrodeposition methods. Prior to nanowire fabrication, alumina nanotemplates with controlled pore structure (e.g. pore diameter and porosity) were fabricated by anodising high purity aluminium foil in sulphuric acid. After fabrication of alumina nanotemplates, iron, iron-nickel and iron-palladium nanowires were electrodeposited within the pore structure. The dimensions of nanowires including diameter and length were precisely controlled by pore diameter of anodised alumina and deposition rate and time. The composition, crystal structure and orientation were controlled by adjusting electrodeposition parameters including applied current density and solution compositions.