Dendritic Copper Research Articles

Dendritic copper nanostructures for ultrasensitive detection of rhodamine 6G and Congo red

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) is a fast-responding and non-destructive ultra-sensitive detection technique that can replace traditional chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis techniques. In this experiment, dendritic copper nanostructures were prepared by the solid-state ionics method and the vacuum hot evaporation process with an applied current of I=9μA. Using them as a SERS substrate, Raman detection was performed on the dye molecules Rhodamine 6G (R6G) and Congo Red (CR) to determine SERS enhancement performance. It is found that the growth of the prepared copper nanostructures has a top-end dominant phenomenon. The fractal dimension of the copper nanostructure was calculated using fractal theory, and it was revealed to be 1.560. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that a large number of 60-80 nm regularly arranged copper nanoparticles were attached to the surface of the dendritic copper nanostructure. This is beneficial to increase the surface roughness of the substrate and improve the detection level of dye molecules. Subsequently, copper nanostructures can sensitively detect R6G and CR solutions as low as 1×10-13 mol/L and 1×10-7 mol/L, reaching single-molecule levels. The Raman mapping experiment showed that the mean relative standard deviation (RSD) values of R6G and CR were 12.3% and 12.9%, indicating high uniformity and reproducibility of the structure. This structure effectively achieves the fusion of uniformity, repeatability, and sensitivity, and shows broad application prospects in food detection.

Copper-promoted growth of hierarchical Cu–Co–Ni alloys on copper nanodendrites for enhanced hydrogen evolution in a wide pH range

Efficient and sustainable electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) using earth-abundant elements are crucial for eco-friendly hydrogen production, particularly under neutral and acidic conditions. In metallic alloys, careful selection of alloying elements and control over the composition, morphology, electronic structure, and structural defects are expected to tune electrocatalytic activities. In this work, we introduce a two-step electrodeposition approach to create a 3D porous trimetallic alloy, Cu@Cu–Ni–Co, exhibiting excellent catalytic activity and stability for HER in neutral and acidic environments. The process begins with the electrodeposition of 3D copper dendrites, which was found to be crucial for the catalyst's mechanical stability, followed by the deposition of the trimetallic alloy, where copper's inclusion promotes the controlled growth of the alloy's 3D structure. The Cu@Cu–Ni–Co catalyst outperforms Cu@Ni, Cu@Co, Cu@Ni–Co, and GC@Cu–Ni–Co electrocatalysts in neutral and acidic conditions, highlighting the importance of the developed electrodeposition approach. In 1.0 M phosphate-buffer solution (PBS), Cu@Cu–Ni–Co achieves a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 275 mV with a Tafel slope of 134 mV dec−1, maintaining remarkable stability in both acidic and neutral conditions at high current densities (48–165 mA cm−2) for up to 50 h without any decline in activity.

Hydrogen peroxide mediated thermo-catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide to C1-C2 products over Cu (0)

The global challenge concerning CO2 conversion to valuable products is anticipated to execute an essential task towards net zero carbon emissions. Thermal CO2 reduction is advantageous in terms of higher conversion rates, selectivity, and already-established industrial thermal instruments for scalability. However, the method is energy-intensive, a hindrance to sustainably practical adoption. Herein, we present a comprehensive study of H2O2-mediated thermal CO2 conversion in the presence of dendritic zerovalent copper (d-ZCu) in a batch-type reactor, yielding C1 and C2 carbon products, with acetic acid (AcOH) as the major product (achieving an optimized yield of approximately 0.98 M and a selectivity of around 97 % at near ambient conditions of 25–150 °C and 1–15 bar), along with trace amounts of methanol and ethanol, and carbon monoxide (CO) as a gaseous product. The reaction parameters, including temperature, time, pressure, and concentrations, were optimized to gain better insight into the reaction. To further explore the feasibility of the process, experiments were conducted in a continuous flow-packed bed reactor using similar parameters as those in the batch reactor, where CO was identified as the primary product of CO2 reduction. For advanced real-life applicability, the as-emitted exhaust gases from diesel and petrol engines, as sources of anthropogenic CO2, were utilized to establish the practical applicability of the proposed method.

Fractal Growth Regulation and Mechanism of Copper Dendrite by Micro‐point Electrode Electrodeposition

AbstractThe behavior of fractal growth based on copper metal was examined by micro‐point electrode electrodeposition. On this basis, the process and morphological characteristic of Cu fractal growth can be controlled by changing the electrodeposition time, current and concentration of Cu2+. The growth of snowflake Cu dendrites is confined to the two‐dimensional plane of the paper base to monitor the fractal structural changes. The electrodeposition process of snowflake Cu dendrites is deeply regulated by exploring the changing trend of fractal dimension. To further understand the fractal growth mechanism of Cu, the electro‐driven centripetal migration and random migration of ions are introduced in the traditional diffusion‐limited aggregation model. The simulated fractal patterns successfully correspond with the experimental results. The results are helpful to explore the fractal growth characteristics and dynamic mechanism of the electrodeposited copper dendrites, which lay a foundation for controlling the growth of the electrodeposited metal dendrites.

(Invited) Curvature-Enhanced Hydrophobicity: A Counter-Intuitive Strategy for Efficient Electroreduction of Nitrate into Ammonia

The electrochemical upcycling of nitrate (NO3 −) to ammonia (NH3) holds promise for synergizing both wastewater treatment and NH3 synthesis. Efficient stripping of gaseous byproducts (NH3, H2, and N2) from electrocatalysts is crucial for continuous and stable electrochemical reactions. This study evaluated a layered electrocatalyst structure using copper (Cu) dendrite to enable a high curvature and hydrophobicity and achieve a stratified liquid contact at the gas-liquid interface of the electrocatalyst layer. As such, gaseous product desorption or displacement from electrocatalysts was enhanced due to the separation of a wetted reaction zone and a non-wetted zone for gas-transfer. Consequently, this electrocatalyst structure yielded a 1.9-fold boost in per active site activity compared to that with a low curvature and high hydrophilic counterpart. Moreover, a high NH3 Faradaic efficiency of 90.9 ± 2.3% was achieved with nearly 100% NO3 − conversion. This high-curvature hydrophobic Cu dendrite was further integrated with a gas-extraction membrane, which demonstrated outstanding NH3 yield from the real reverse osmosis retentate brine. Figure 1

Machine learning–enabled direct ink writing of conductive polymer composites for enhanced performance in thermal management and current protection

This study introduces a novel approach that leverages the synergy of machine learning (ML) and Direct Ink Writing (DIW) to optimize the manufacturing feasibility of conductive polymer composites (CPCs) films. The main research focus centers on precisely fine-tuning the printing parameters to strike the perfect balance between the high loading of dendritic copper fillers and their influences on processing and composite performance properties. This pioneering combination significantly enhances the precision of the final product without resorting to time-consuming procedures. ML algorithms contributed to identifying optimal printing variables such as speed, flow pressure, and filler concentration, which helped in identifying the optimal filler content and its performance capabilities. The resulting films exhibited thermo-resistive behavior with a noticeable resistivity increase by 6-7 orders of magnitude at elevated temperatures, specifically around 100 °C. Furthermore, the study highlights remarkable strain-sensing capabilities, simultaneously showcasing a substantial increase in composite modulus. These discoveries bear substantial significance for the development of exceptionally functional thermal interface materials suitable for use in sensors, current collectors, and energy storage devices. The method presented here offers a promising pathway for advancing the fabrication and performance optimization of conductive polymer composites, opening up diverse applications in emerging technologies.

Myelin Surfactant Assemblies as Dynamic Pathways Guiding the Growth of Electrodeposited Copper Dendrites.

Self-organization of inorganic matter enables bottom-up construction of materials with target shapes suited to their function. Positioning the building blocks in the growth process involves a well-balanced interplay of the reaction and diffusion. Whereas (supra)molecular structures have been used to template such growth processes, we reasoned that molecular assemblies can be employed to actively create concentration gradients that guide the deposition of solid, wire-like structures. The core of our approach comprises the interaction between myelin assemblies that deliver copper(II) ions to the tips of copper dendrites, which in turn grow along the Cu2+ gradient upon electrodeposition. First, we successfully include Cu2+ ions among amphiphile bilayers in myelin filaments, which grow from tri(ethylene glycol) monododecyl ether (C12E3) source droplets over air-water interfaces. Second, we characterize the growth of dendritic copper structures upon electrodeposition from a negative electrode at the sub-mM Cu2+ concentrations that are anticipated upon release from copper(II)-loaded myelins. Third, we assess the intricate growth of copper dendrites upon electrodeposition, when combined with copper(II)-loaded myelins. The myelins deliver Cu2+ at a negative electrode, feeding copper dendrite growth upon electrodeposition. Intriguingly, the copper dendrites follow the Cu2+ gradient toward the myelins and grow along them toward the source droplet. We demonstrate the growth of dynamic connections among electrodes and surfactant droplets in reconfigurable setups─featuring a unique interplay between molecular assemblies and inorganic, solid structures.

Synthesis of sulfide mineral crystals by incongruent methods using the example of Cu-Fe-S and Cu-Fe-Se systems

Research subject. Understanding the structure and thermodynamic properties of sulfide minerals is important for studying the paragenesis of sulfide formation on Earth and in space, as well as for analyzing technological issues in the processing of ores and polysulfide product concentrates. There is a lack of experimental and theoretical information on many representatives of the Cu-Fe-S and Cu-Fe-Se systems. Aim. To synthesize crystals in the Cu-Fe-S and Cu-Fe-Se systems at the lowest possible temperatures for the subsequent study of their physical properties, while solving the main problem of materials science related to interrelations between composition, structure, and properties. Materials and methods. Crystal synthesis was carried out by the solution-melt method in a stationary temperature gradient, in evacuated sealed quartz glass ampoules. Two types of ampoules were used in the experiment, standard and long. The ampoules were filled with a charge and a salt mixture of RbCl-LiCl of eutectic composition, evacuated and sealed, then placed in several quartz or ceramic glasses. The glasses were placed in tubular furnaces such that the ends of the ampoules with the charge were located closer to the center of the furnace, and the opposite ends were closer to the edge to create a temperature gradient. For standard ampoules, the hot end temperature was 520–469℃, and the cold end was 456–415℃. For long ones: 470℃ – hot end and 340℃ – cold. The synthesis duration ranged from three to four months. Results. Depending on the composition of the charge, crystals of chalcocine Cu2S, bornite Cu5FeS4, chalcopyrite CuFeS2, isocubanite CuFe2S3, and iron-containing dicopper sulfide with an iron content of up to 8 at % and various equilibrium associations with their participation and with the participation of pyrite FeS2 and pyrrhotites Fe1–xS were obtained. Copper dendrites were also found in some samples. In addition, crystals of a phase with the approximate composition of CuFeSe2 were obtained. It is shown that due to different combinations of oxidation states of all three elements dissolved in a salt electrolyte, it is possible to obtain phases with almost any stoichiometric ratio. Chalcopyrite and isocubanite are reliably detected using Raman spectroscopy. In this case, some samples are locally characterized by the “absence” of a spectrum, which probably indicates the metallic (semi-metallic) properties of the samples. Conclusion. Using the Cu-Fe-S and Cu-Fe-Se systems as an example, the possibility of obtaining sulfide crystals in a RbCl-LiCl salt melt up to a eutectic temperature of 313℃ is shown. Due to the low synthesis temperature, the synthesis should be carried out over several months, resulting in crystals a fraction of a millimeter in size.

STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF SELF-LUBRICATING COPPER-NICKEL-GRAPHITE COATING FABRICATED USING COLD SPRAY

Application of self-lubricating Cu-matrix coatings is an attractive way to provide high electrical conductivity and wear performance in contact friction pairs in various areas of modern engineering. In the present work, the structure and properties of self-lubricating copper-nickel-graphite coating deposited on copper substrate using high-pressure cold spray were studied for the first time. The coating was fabricated by spraying dendritic copper and flaked nickel-coated graphite powders mixed in a ratio 70/30 wt.%, which ensured the formation of a lamellar structure. The obtained coating exhibited an attractive combination of hardness (108.8 HV1), coefficient of friction (0.34) and electrical conductivity (43.8 % IACS), which open prospects for its electrical applications.

Fractal dimension, lacunarity, and Shannon entropy of self-assembled macroscopic copper dendrites

Macroscopic copper dendrites are self-assembled in a porous hydrogel without the application of an external potential. The copper dendrites possess fractal characteristics. The impact of the medium thickness, the initial concentration of copper (II) ions, and the solvent polarity on the evolving copper dendrites are addressed by investigating the fractal dimension, lacunarity, and Shannon entropy (SE) of the structures. The analysis gives a quantitative description of the copper dendritic morphology and its connection to the mechanism of self-assembly. The fractal dimension of the dendrites falls in the range of 1.75–1.85. High self-similar complex systems show low lacunarity and high Shannon entropy, reflecting the low density of gaps and the high level of detail.

PARAMETERS OF THE PERTURBED STATE OF THE DENDRITE TIP IN DEEPLY SUPERCOOLED NICKEL AND COPPER MELTS

The object of study is the morphological stability of the tip of a free dendrite in a supercooled melt of a pure substance. Areas of deep supercooling are considered: for nickel DT > 166 K, for copper – DT > 180 K. A distinctive feature of the processes being studied is the presence of two propagation velocities of small disturbances (velocities of “sound”). The dependences of these rates on the supercooling of the melt were determined. The periodic and coordinate-aperiodic modes of perturbation of the growth line have been studied in detail. For these stable regimes, the possibility of observing the same speed of the disturbance wave in two processes, differing from each other in the size of the spatial inhomogeneity of the background in front of the wave and the characteristic wave attenuation times, was discovered. It is shown that aperiodic instability appears if, after the passage of the wave front, the width of the growth line inhomogeneity zone decreases. The resonant excitation mode of the dendrite tip demonstrates important differences between the properties of the nickel and copper melts. First of all, this relates to the temperature dependences of the resonant frequency and the speed of a standing wave formed in the vicinity of the vertex. Numerical calculations are presented and graphic information is presented illustrating the patterns of growth of nickel and copper dendrites.

Dendritic Pyridine-Imine Copper Complexes as Metallo-Drugs.

Since the discovery of cisplatin in the 1960s, the search for metallo-drugs that are more efficient than platinum complexes with negligible side effects has attracted much interest. Among the other metals that have been examined for potential applications as anticancer agents is copper. The interest in copper was recently boosted by the discovery of cuproptosis, a recently evidenced form of cell death mediated by copper. However, copper is also known to induce the proliferation of cancer cells. In view of these contradictory results, there is a need to find the most suitable copper chelators, among which Schiff-based derivatives offer a wide range of possibilities. Gathering several metal complexes in a single, larger entity may provide enhanced properties. Among the nanometric objects suitable for such purpose are dendrimers, precisely engineered hyperbranched macromolecules, which are outstanding candidates for improving therapy and diagnosis. In this review article, we present an overview of the use of a particular Schiff base, namely pyridine-imine, linked to the surface of dendrimers, suitable for complexing copper, and the use of such dendrimer complexes in biology, in particular against cancers.

Three-dimensional dendritic biosynthetic copper oxide nanoparticles: A novel approach for enhanced leaf deposition and retention to reduce environmental impact

Copper-based fungicides are commonly utilized as protective germicides; however, their susceptibility to rain-induced washing leads to a substantial copper exposure, resulting in significant environmental pollution and potential ecological risks. This study focuses on the biosynthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles at room temperature, utilizing copper sulfate pentahydrate and tea seed cake extract as reactive raw materials. The obtained copper oxide nanoparticles exhibit a distinctive dendritic three-dimensional topology. Notably, these copper oxide nanoparticles demonstrate superior wettability and spreadability on tomato, rice, and wheat leaves compared to the commercial formulation of copper hydroxide (Kocide). The retention amount of copper oxide nanoparticles on the surface of plant leaves after rain washing exhibited a 75.89% to 84.31% increase compared to that of Kocide, attributed to the structural chimerism of copper oxide nanoparticles and the micro-nano structure of leaves. Regarding antimicrobial activity against Magnaporthe oryzae and Clavibacter michiganense, copper oxide nanoparticles showed better residual activity and a longer persistent period than Kocide. Safety experiments demonstrated that copper oxide nanoparticles had minimal adverse effects on wheat plants, while in vivo studies in zebrafish revealed their effectiveness in reducing toxicity by over five-fold compared to Kocide. Furthermore, soil ecosystem assessments highlighted the high biocompatibility of copper oxide nanoparticles with Escherichia coli. Consequently, the prepared copper oxide nanoparticles hold significant promise as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional copper-based fungicides.

Dendritic copper oxide catalyst engineering weak-polarity Cu-O bond for high-efficiency nitrate electroreduction

Nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) is deemed a promising pathway for both ammonia synthesis and water purification. Developing a high-efficiency catalyst with excellent NH3 selectivity and catalytic stability is desirable but remains challenging. In this work, a dendritic copper oxide catalyst (Cu-B2) has been developed to efficiently catalyze NO3RR for ammonia production, the Cu-B2 exhibits excellent catalytic performance, achieving an NH3 Faradaic efficiency as high as 94 % and an NH3 yield of 16.9 mg h−1 cm−2 with a current density of 192.3 mA cm−2 at − 0.6 V (vs. RHE, reversible hydrogen electrode). During NO3RR testing, the Cu-B2 catalysts are reduced in situ to form highly active Cu0/Cu+ sites, while retaining its dendritic morphology. Compared with other catalysts, the Cu-O bond in Cu-B2 catalyst has weaker polarity, resulting in Cu0/Cu+ sites in lower oxidation states. In situ attenuated total reflection surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (ATR-SEIRAS) studies reveal the Cu-B2 catalyst exhibits a potential-independent capability for *NO3- adsorption and high conversion efficiency of NO2- intermediate into ammonia, DFT calculations reveal that Cu-B2 exhibts higher NO3- adsorption energy and lower NO3- adsorption energy barrier than Cu-B1, thus endowing it with a remarkably improved catalytic activity and durability.

Coupling Curvature and Hydrophobicity: A Counterintuitive Strategy for Efficient Electroreduction of Nitrate into Ammonia.

The electrochemical upcycling of nitrate (NO3-) to ammonia (NH3) holds promise for synergizing both wastewater treatment and NH3 synthesis. Efficient stripping of gaseous products (NH3, H2, and N2) from electrocatalysts is crucial for continuous and stable electrochemical reactions. This study evaluated a layered electrocatalyst structure using copper (Cu) dendrites to enable a high curvature and hydrophobicity and achieve a stratified liquid contact at the gas-liquid interface of the electrocatalyst layer. As such, gaseous product desorption or displacement from electrocatalysts was enhanced due to the separation of a wetted reaction zone and a nonwetted zone for gas transfer. Consequently, this electrocatalyst structure yielded a 2.9-fold boost in per-active-site activity compared with that with a low curvature and high hydrophilic counterpart. Moreover, a NH3 Faradaic efficiency of 90.9 ± 2.3% was achieved with nearly 100% NO3- conversion. This high-curvature hydrophobic Cu dendrite was further integrated with a gas-extraction membrane, which demonstrated a comparable NH3 yield from the real reverse osmosis retentate brine.

Microstructure, hardness, and electrical resistivity of Al-Cu alloy fabricated via wire arc additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques allow for greater design freedom than is possible with conventional manufacturing processes. Components fabricated via AM can be compact and more potent for electrical applications. This study used cold metal transfer (CMT) based wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) to build the WAAM 2319 wall. The microstructure is mainly composed of equiaxed and columnar dendrites along with a small fraction of pores. Precipitated θ phases formed due to complex thermal cycles during WAAM. The hardness of the WAAM 2319 alloy ranged between 68 HV0.2 to 86 HV0.2. The electrical resistivity of WAAM 2319 was 6.72±0.23 µΩ.cm resulting in the reduced conductivity of 25.66±1.10%IACS compared to the wrought AA2219 alloy having 30%IACS. The decrease in electrical conductivity is attributed to the presence of coarse precipitates along with dendritic microstructure and copper solute concentration. Thus, WAAM-processed Al-Cu alloys can be used for future electrical applications.

Achieving balanced properties in graphene/Cu composite with oriented bimodal grains: Strength, ductility, and conductivity

In the pursuit of advanced materials with multifunctional capabilities, graphene-based composites have gained substantial attention due to their exceptional mechanical, electrical properties, etc. In this paper, we present a straightforward method for fabricating graphene/Cu composites with an oriented bimodal structure through an in-situ synthesis process combined with hot rolling. Dendritic copper powder, mechanical exfoliation graphene and polyacrylonitrile were used as the raw materials. The graphene/Cu composite with oriented bimodal grains achieves a good balance between strength, ductility and electrical conductivity. Both the fine grains arising from the raised fine particles of dendritic copper powder and the graphene coated on the surface of fine grains facilitate the load transfer, resulting in improved strength of the composites. Furthermore, the formation of coarse grains during sintering and hot rolling deformation contributes to enhanced ductility. Simultaneously, the oriented structure of these coarse grains and graphene sheets establishes an efficient charge transport pathway, ensuring high electrical conductivity. The tensile yield strength of the oriented bimodal composite measures 315 MPa with 0.073 wt% carbon content, while its fracture elongation is 12.4%, and the electrical conductivity remains at 95.7% IACS. This study not only sheds light on the synergistic effects between graphene and copper in a bimodal composite system but also introduces a methodology for tailoring the microstructure to achieve a desired balance between mechanical strength, ductility, and electrical conductivity.

Dendritic Copper Current Collectors as a Capacity Boosting Material for Polymer-Templated Si/Ge/C Anodes in Li-Ion Batteries.

Dendritic copper offers a highly effective method for synthesizing porous copper anodes due to its intricate branching structure. This morphology results in an elevated surface area-to-volume ratio, facilitating shortened electron pathways during aqueous and electrolyte permeation. Here, we demonstrate a procedure for a time- and cost-efficient synthesis routine of fern-like copper microstructures as a host for polymer-templated Si/Ge/C thin films. Dissolvable Zintl clusters and sol-gel chemistry are used to synthesize nanoporous coating as the anode. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) with KOH as the electrolyte is used to estimate the surface area increase in the dendritic copper current collectors (CCs). Half cells are assembled and tested with battery-related techniques such as CV, galvanostatic cycling, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, showing a capacity increase in the dendritic copper cells. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy is used to estimate the removal of K in the bulk after oxidizing the Zintl phase K12Si8Ge9 in the polymer/precursor blend with SiCl4. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy images are provided to depict the thin films after synthesis and track the degradation of the half cells after cycling, revealing that the morphological degradation through alloying/dealloying is reduced for the dendritic Cu CC anodes as compared with the bare reference. Finally, we highlight this time- and cost-efficient routine for synthesizing this capacity-boosting material for low-mobility and high-capacity anode coatings.

A dendritic porous copper foam-carbonic anhydrase biohybrid for carbon dioxide electroreduction.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is bound to a dendritic porous copper foam (3D-Cu) via electrostatic interaction to form a biohybrid (CA/3D-Cu), which exhibits high selectivity and Faraday efficiency in the electroreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to formic acid (selectivity of 98.7%, Faraday efficiency of 82.1%) due to the large specific surface area of the 3D-Cu and the ultra-high CO2 hydration capacity of CA.

Development of Electrodeposited Hierarchical Dendritic Wick Structure for Ultra-Thin Vapor Chamber Applications

Compact and light-weight electronic systems have posed stringent dimensional criteria for heat-dissipation components such as heat pipes and vapor chambers. An ultra-thin vapor chamber (UTVC) with an overall thickness below 1 mm requires an interior capillary wick structure less than 100 μm. The capillary wick layer provides a flow path for fluid circulation in an operational UTVC. The maximum UTVC heat transfer rate normally depends on liquid permeability (K) and capillary pressure (∆P) of the wick structure. Large K and ∆P values are rarely realized in typical homogeneous porous structure. In this study, a novel hierarchical dendritic copper wick was prepared to achieve large K and ∆P simultaneously by one-step electrodeposition and thermal sintering process. The effects of electrodeposition parameters, such as current density, deposition time, and solution conditions on the capillary performance of the dendritic copper wicks were investigated. The results indicate that the wicking capability is modulated by the dendritic morphology of Cu deposits. Moreover, a post-deposition sintering process can improve further the structural integrity of the Cu dendrites and the capillary performance of the electrodeposited wicks. An optimal dendritic copper wick of 30 μm in thickness possesses a promising capillary performance K/R eff of 0.811 μm, which is the thinnest wick reported in the literature.