Template-Assisted Growth of Nanowires Using Novel Nanoporous Films Fabricated by Inorganic Nano Phase Separation

Abstract

AbstractUltrahigh pore density nanoporous films with a pore diameter of less than 10nm and a pore density exceeding 1016 pores/m2 were developed. Nano phase separation of a eutectic Al-Si system was used for the fabrication of these nanoporous films. Co-sputtered AlSi films form Al nano-cylinders, perpendicular to the substrate and parallel to each other, embedded in an amorphous Si matrix during film growth due to phase separation. Removal of the Al nano-cylinders from the co-sputtered AlSi films by chemical etching gives us ultrahigh pore density nanoporous films. The nanoporous films consist of mainly oxidized silicon. Depending on the film compositions and the film preparation conditions, such as RF power and the deposition temperature, the average pore diameter can be varied systematically from less than 5nm to 13nm with the pore density from 1015 to exceeding 1016 pores/m2. Furthermore we have demonstrated a template-assisted growth of ultrahigh-density Ni nanowire arrays with an aspect ratio of ∼100 in the nanoporous films by electrodeposition. The fabrication method for nanowire arrays using the nanoporous films is quite simple and promising for the fabrication of nanostructured devices.