Carbon tape-assisted electrodeposition and characterization of arrayed micro-/nanostructures

Abstract

The template-controlled electrodeposition has been widely used for fabricating arrayed micro-/nanostructures (both metallic and composite), which typically requires the vacuum-deposition of a conductive metal film on the template and faces the challenge of detaching them from the substrate electrode for subsequent characterization/application. Herein we report that such a template-assisted fabrication strategy can be readily accomplished by using double-sided carbon tapes in conjunction with nanoporous templates of choice, which allows for not only simple, rapid assembly with any substrate electrode for the deposition of arrayed micro-/nanostructures with standard electrochemical equipment, but also their effort-less detachment for subsequent characterization and application. As of the proof-of-concept, we have demonstrated that “hemisphere” gold ultramicroelectrode arrays with characteristic redox responses can be reproducibly prepared in a few minutes with appropriate deposition time and potential. The application of this convenient method as a routine, benchtop protocol for preparing different types of arrayed micro-/nanostructures (e.g., Au, Cu, and Pt) using various nanoporous templates (both polycarbonate membranes and anodic aluminum oxide substrates) via conventional electrochemical deposition has been also described.