Electrochemical synthesis of large diameter monocrystalline nickel nanowires in porous alumina membranes

In this work, the synthesis of long, single-crystal nickel nanowires (NWs) using dc electrodeposition is reported. Porous alumina membranes with 220 nm mean pore diameter were used as a template. This diameter is much larger than what is usually reported in single crystal NWs synthesis. The dependence of the NW crystal structure upon applied voltage as well as the change in crystal structure along the NW's length is also investigated. Finally, in order to get sufficient understanding of the present results, a model based on two competing growth mechanisms is proposed, revealing the dependence of crystal structure upon the voltage applied during the electrodeposition process.