Kunz R., Kipp L., Skibowski M., Adelung R.
Christian-Albrechts-University, DE
Keywords: copper, layered crystals, nanowire
An easy way to cover large areas with nano-or microstructures is self-organization. Against intuition, we claim that structureless crystals in terms of surface features are well suitable for self organized structuring on the nano-and micrometer scale. We show examples of various structures obtained after copper evaporation on the flat surfaces of layered crystals. Structures found range from 8 nm thick nanowires [1] covering in a network with mesh diameters of 200-400 nm in a network crystals on the millimeter scale, geometrically figures in the micron range, to tunnel networks with diameter of 2-3 µm and mesh width of up to 100 µm. These structures occur because, on the one hand, long diffusion length enable a long range organization. On the other hand, the weak substrate adsorbate-interaction enables more complex phenomena to determine the structuring. In contrast to a simple stick if reached place mechanism of surfaces with pronounced adsorption energy differences, here more complex second order phenomena like strain, charge transfer and differences in diffusion speed dictate the structures. [1] R. Adelung et al. Adv. Mater. 15, 1056, (2002).
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Technical Proceedings of the 2003 Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 3
Published: February 23, 2003
Pages: 70 - 73
Industry sector: Personal & Home Care, Food & Agriculture
Topic: Personal & Home Care, Food & Agriculture
ISBN: 0-9728422-2-5