Electrodeposition of Nickel Nanowires and Nanotubes Using Various Templates

Nickel nanotubes and nanowires are grown by galvanostatic electrodeposition in the pores of 1000, 100, and 15 nm polycarbonate as well as in anodised alumina membranes at a current density of 10 mA cm-2. The effects of pore size, porosity, electrodeposition time, effective current density, and pore aspect ratio are investigated. Nickel nanotube structures are obtained with 1000 nm pore size polycarbonate membrane without any prior treatment method. At the early stages of electrodeposition hollow nickel nanotubes are produced and nanotubes turn into nanowires at longer depositon times. As effective current density accounting for the membrane porosity decreases, the axial growth direction is favoured yielding nanowires rather than nanotubes. However, for smaller pore size polycarbonate membranes, nanowires are obtained even though effective current densities were higher. We believe that when the pore diameter is below a critical size, nanowires grow regardless of current density since narrow pores promote layer by layer growth of nanorods due to smaller surface area of the pore bottom compared to pore walls. Pore size has a dominant effect over effective current density in determining the structure of the fibres produced for small pores. Nickel nanowires are also obtained in the small pores of anodised alumina, which has higher aspect ratios. High aspect ratio membranes favour the fabrication of nanowires regardless of current density

Electrodeposition of Nickel Nanowires and Nanotubes Using Various Templates

Nickel nanotubes and nanowires are grown by galvanostatic electrodeposition in the pores of 1000, 100, and 15 nm polycarbonate as well as in anodised alumina membranes at a current density of 10 mA cm-2. The effects of pore size, porosity, electrodeposition time, effective current density, and pore aspect ratio are investigated. Nickel nanotube structures are obtained with 1000 nm pore size polycarbonate membrane without any prior treatment method. At the early stages of electrodeposition hollow nickel nanotubes are produced and nanotubes turn into nanowires at longer depositon times. As effective current density accounting for the membrane porosity decreases, the axial growth direction is favoured yielding nanowires rather than nanotubes. However, for smaller pore size polycarbonate membranes, nanowires are obtained even though effective current densities were higher. We believe that when the pore diameter is below a critical size, nanowires grow regardless of current density since narrow pores promote layer by layer growth of nanorods due to smaller surface area of the pore bottom compared to pore walls. Pore size has a dominant effect over effective current density in determining the structure of the fibres produced for small pores. Nickel nanowires are also obtained in the small pores of anodised alumina, which has higher aspect ratios. High aspect ratio membranes favour the fabrication of nanowires regardless of current density

Effect of Synthesis Time and Treatment on Porosity of Mesoporous Silica Materials

Nitrogen adsorption at 77 K on mesoporous silica materials (MPS) with varying synthesis time and treatment conditions was investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were also used to characterize the mesoporous materials. This study was performed at 6, 24 and 72-h synthesis times. It is shown that 6-h is not enough for complete formation of the MPS material and at least 24-h is necessary. The pore structure starts decaying for the 72-h synthesis time. The three-after-synthesis treatment conditions used were 1) washed, 2) washed and calcined and 3) directly calcined after synthesis. Ethanol/HCl mixtures were used for washing and calcinations were performed at 550°C. Among these samples, directly washed sample yields the lowest adsorption capacity while washed and calcined sample yields the highest adsorption capacity. Hence, it is concluded that washing stabilizes the structure before high temperature treatment

Effect of Synthesis Time and Treatment on Porosity of Mesoporous Silica Materials

Nitrogen adsorption at 77 K on mesoporous silica materials (MPS) with varying synthesis time and treatment conditions was investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were also used to characterize the mesoporous materials. This study was performed at 6, 24 and 72-h synthesis times. It is shown that 6-h is not enough for complete formation of the MPS material and at least 24-h is necessary. The pore structure starts decaying for the 72-h synthesis time. The three-after-synthesis treatment conditions used were 1) washed, 2) washed and calcined and 3) directly calcined after synthesis. Ethanol/HCl mixtures were used for washing and calcinations were performed at 550°C. Among these samples, directly washed sample yields the lowest adsorption capacity while washed and calcined sample yields the highest adsorption capacity. Hence, it is concluded that washing stabilizes the structure before high temperature treatment