High-throughput templated multisegment synthesis of gold nanowires and nanorods

A cost-effective, high-throughput method for generating gold nanowires and/or nanorods based on a multisegment template electrodeposition approach is described. Using this method, multiple nanowires/nanorods can be generated from a single pore of alumina template membranes by alternately depositing segments of desirable (e.g., gold) and non-desirable metals (e.g., silver), followed by dissolution of the template and the non-desirable metal. Critical cost analysis indicates substantial savings in material requirements, processing times, and processing costs compared to the commonly used single-segment method. In addition to solid gold nanowires/nanorods, high yields of porous gold nanowires/nanorods are obtained by depositing alternate segments of gold-silver alloy and silver from the same gold-silver plating solution followed by selective dissolution of the silver from both segments. It is anticipated that this high-throughput method for synthesizing solid and porous gold nanowires and nanorods will accelerate their use in sensing, electronic, and biomedical applications.