CuNi dendritic material has been obtained by the electrochemical method. For the synthesis of the material, different potentials were applied to get the dendritic structure in the aqueous solution. The materials were characterized by a series of techniques. The morphology of the material was characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy was applied to analyze the elemental composition. X-ray diffraction was used to check the crystal structure of the deposit. The dendritic morphology formation mechanism is discussed from the aspects of thermodynamics and kinetics to give a deep understanding of the crystal growth. For the potential practical application of the material in the fuel cell and biosensor, the electro-oxidation ability of glucose in alkaline solution was tested, and the sensor based on this dendritic alloy was tried.

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Dendritic copper nanostructures of different morphologies were synthesized by a surfactant-free electrochemical method. Single crystal nature of the nanostructures was revealed from their X-ray diffraction and electron diffraction patterns. Mechanism of dendrite formation was discussed from thermodynamic aspects using the concept of supersaturation. Supersaturation of the copper metal reduced on the surface of the electrode was the crucial factor for the generation of different morphologies. Effects of applied potential, temperature, and the solution concentration on the supersaturation were studied. The NO3 − and H2O2 electroreduction ability of the dendritic materials was tested. Use of copper dendrite-modified electrode as NO3 − sensor was demonstrated.

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