Spontaneous formation of periodic nanostructured film by electrodeposition: Experimental observations and modeling

Abstract

In this paper we report the spontaneous formation of a nanostructured film by electrodeposition from an ultrathin electrolyte layer of CuSO4. The film consists of straight periodic ditches and ridges, which corresponds to the alternating deposition of nanocrystallites of copper and copper plus cuprous oxide, respectively. The periodicity on the film may vary from 100 nm to a few hundred nanometers depending on the experimental conditions. In the formation of the periodically nanostructured film, oscillating voltage/current has been observed across the electrodes, and the frequency depends on the pH of the electrolyte and the applied current/voltage. A model based on the coupling of [Cu2+] and [H+] in the electrodeposition is proposed to describe the oscillatory phenomena in our system. The calculated results are in agreement with the experimental observations.

Propagation Along Single-Crystalline Silver Filaments With Pearl-Chain-Like Structures

“…As these silver filaments with pearl-chain-like structures are self-assembled by electrodeposition, it remains challenge in tuning the corrugated morphology and controlling branching of these metallic filaments. The periodicity on metallic filaments can be controlled by applying external electric pulses, referring to the method in spontaneous formation of periodic nanostructured Cu [15]. Normally, templates can be applied in elecrodeposition to achieve metallic structures with designed pattern, such as paralleled metallic wires [25][26][27].…”

“…The experimental details are analogous to previous works [13][14][15][16][17]. AgNO 3 aqueous electrolyte is prepared by dissolving AgNO 3 (analytically pure, 99.8%) with deionized ultrapure water (Millipore, electric resistivity of 18.2 MΩ·cm) and the concentration is 0.05 M. Parallel, straight electrodes are made of pure silver wires (99.99% pure, 0.5 mm in diameter, Goodfellow), and sandwiched by two glass slides.…”

“…An electrodeposition system [13][14][15][16][17] is exploited to fabricate microstructure single-crystalline silver filaments without using any templates, surfactants, and additives. The experimental details are analogous to previous works [13][14][15][16][17].…”

Kinetic determination of pyrogallol by a novel oscillating chemical reaction catalyzed by a tetraazamacrocyclic complex

“…Since the centerpieces of the mechanism of [CuL] 2+ -catalyzed system are positive and negative feedback loops by which [CuL] 2+ and [CuL] 3+ changed periodically, and on which the autocatalytic relies, the mechanism of which observably different from that of electrochemical oscillations [33][34][35].…”

Potential Oscillation Associated Galvanostatic Deposition of Periodic Al Wires from a Chloroaluminate Ionic Liquid

“…Many examples acquired in aqueous systems have been reported including tine metal latticework consist of cuboids connected by needles, 1,2 stacked alternated layers of metals or alloys, [3][4][5] dendrites, 6,7 and metal wires with periodically changed diameters. [8][9][10] Often, the oscillation is associated with negative differential resistance (NDR), 11 and has been attributed to the reactions such as formation of passivation layer, autocatalytic growth, adsorption of additives (levelers and accelerants), and restricted mass transport of ions.…”