Self-organized Formation of Nano-structures on Solid Surfaces by Nonlinear Electrochemical Oscillations (I)

Abstract

Self-organized formation of ordered micro- and nano-structures of metals and semiconductors at solid surfaces has been attracting keen attention in view of nanotechnology. The self-organization method has an advantage over the photolithography and surface probe method in that it meets both the conditions of atomic-scale fabrication and the adaptability of mass production. Recent studies on non-equilibrium, nonlinear chemical dynamics have proved a large possibility of self-organized formation of a variety of ordered structures such as stripes, dot arrays, and target and spiral patterns. However, the patterns thus far reported are limited to those of two dimensions (2-D) lying parallel to the substrate surface. The formation of organized “vertical” structures and further organized 3-D structures will need novel strategy. From this point of view, oscillatory electrodeposition is an interesting target because it has an ability to produce ordered electrodeposits by recording ever-changing self-organized spatiotemporal patterns during oscillations. Here we review studies on the structurization by oscillatory electrodeposition, with a focus placed on the formation of layered structures.