Template-fabricated gold nanowires and nanotubes

Gold nanowires and nanotubes are prepared via electroless deposition of Au onto the pore walls of a porous polymeric membrane. The pores in the support membrane act as a template for the nanostructures. The support is a commercially available nanoporous polycarbonate filter with cylindrical nanoscopic pores. We have shown that by controlling the Au deposition time, Au nanotubes (short deposition times) or nanowires (longer deposition times) can be prepared. The gold nanowires and nanotube membranes can be utilized for nanoelectrode ensembles, molecular filters and as chemical switches.