Template-Free Preparation of Metal Nanowires by Two-Phase Electrolysis Using Cells Composed of Water and Oil Phases

Abstract

Sn nanowires were prepared by template-free electrodeposition by two-phase electrolysis using a cell composed of water and oil phases. Prior to the electrodeposition, the water phase containing SnO4, NaCl, H2SO4, and C2H3N was mixed with the oil phase, methyl isobutyl ketone, to extract Sn species from the water phase to the oil phase. Sn nanowires were formed continuously on the surface of the electrode placed in the oil phase during electrodeposition. By using the water phase containing CuSO4, Cu nanowires were also obtained by two-phase electrolysis. The present process allows the high-throughput preparation of metal nanowires because the metal nanowires can be obtained continuously without the need for templates. The obtained metal nanowires are expected to be used in various applications, such as batteries, catalysts, and sensors.