Hierarchical gold micro-nanostructures based on three-dimensional networks of carbon nanotubes fabricated by using electrochemical deposition

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical gold electrodes were fabricated using suspended 3D networks of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on Si pillar templates using electrochemical deposition (ECD) in KAu(CN)2 solutions. The Pt-coated networks of CNTs played an important role in providing electrical paths for ECD through discontinuous Pt layers, resulting in a vertically uniform deposition of gold on micropillars and 3D networks of CNTs connected with adjacent micropillars. The structural characteristics of the 3D hierarchical gold electrodes were superior, and their cyclic voltammograms exhibited higher peak currents and lower peak separations than those of a plain gold electrode.