Electrochemical synthesis using a self-assembled Au nanoparticle template of dendritic films with unusual wetting properties

This report describes the electrochemical preparation of dendritic silver films with unusual wetting properties coming from the use of a self-assembled gold nanoparticle (Au NP) template. It shows that the Au NP self-assembled monolayer on the highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface is responsible for the formation of the dendritic morphology, which is not observed for the same deposition conditions on a bare HOPG substrate. An interesting evolution of the wetting properties of these films during the electrodeposition process is observed. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FEGSEM), energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements are used to reveal the dendritic structure of the deposited silver film at a later stage of the electrodeposition process. They also reveal surprising wetting properties in terms of hydrophobic surface.