Electrodeposition of Arrays of Ru, Pt, and PtRu Alloy 1D Metallic Nanostructures

Arrays of Ru, Pt, and PtRu one dimensional (1D) nanowires (NWs) and nanotubes (NTs) were prepared by electrodeposition through the porous structure of an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane. In each case, micrometer-long NW and NT were formed with an outer diameter of ca. , close to the interior diameter of the porous AAO membrane. Arrays of NW and NT can be formed by varying the metallic salt concentration, the applied potential, and the conductivity of the electrolyte. The Ru and Pt deposition rates were measured in the various deposition conditions, using an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. The mechanisms responsible for the formation of Ru and Pt NW and NT are discussed based on the observed deposition rates and models found in the literature. Finally, it is shown that arrays of PtRu alloy NT and NW can be readily prepared and their compositions can be varied over the whole compositional range by changing the metallic salt concentration of the electrodeposition bath.