Metal nanowire array and method for fabricating the same

Abstract

A method for fabricating a metal nanowire array ( 30 ) includes the following steps: providing a carbon nanotube array ( 10 ) which includes a number of carbon nanotubes ( 14 ), immersing the carbon nanotube array in a colloidal solution ( 20 ) which contains a solvent ( 22 ) and a number of metal nanocrystals ( 24 ) dispersed in the solvent so as to self-assemble the metal nanocrystals on exterior surfaces of the carbon nanotubes; taking the carbon nanotube array out of the colloidal solution; and heating the metal nanocrystals on the surfaces of the carbon nanotubes in a manner such that the metal nanocrystals are fused into a metal nanowire array.

1 . A method for fabricating a metal nanowire array, comprising the steps of providing a carbon nanotube array comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes; 
 immersing the carbon nanotube array in a colloidal solution containing a solvent and a plurality of metal nanocrystals dispersed therein, thereby the metal nanocrystals being self-assembled on exterior surfaces of the carbon nanotubes;    taking the carbon nanotube array out of the colloidal solution; and    heating the metal nanocrystals in a manner such that the metal nanocrystals are fused into the metal nanowire array.    
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the metal nanocrystals is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, copper, tin, nickel, and germanium.  
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, chloroform, hexylene glycol and alcohols containing less than 5 carbon atoms.  
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the colloidal solution furthermore contains a stabilizer agent.  
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the stabilizer agent is selected from the group consisting of tetraoctylzrnmonium bromide, sodium citrate, and poly sodium 4-styrensnlfonate.  
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube array is immersed in the colloidal solution for a time period in the range from 5 to 72 hours.  
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the metal nanocrystals are heated to a temperature that is equal to or higher than a melting point of the metal nanocrystals.  
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the metal nanocrystals are heated for a time period in the range from 35 to 60 seconds.  
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the carbon nanotubes extend in a common direction.  
   
   
       10 . A metal nanowire array comprising: 
 an array of metal nanowires extending in a common direction, each metal nanowire comprising a core portion comprised of at least one carbon nanotube, and a cladding portion enclosing the core portion therein, the cladding portion being comprised of metal polycrystalline.    
   
   
       11 . A metal nanowire array as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the metal polycrystalline is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, copper, nickel, and germanium.