Synthesis of Metal Nanowires Using Nanocracks and Dna-Templates and Their Characterization

An alternate nanowire fabrication technique that simplifies their testing by enabling their direct integration with MEMS test-beds has also been presented. In this approach, commercially available lambda DNA's (16.1 microns long and 2 nm wide) are used as templates to form nanowires of various metals through sputter deposition or evaporation. The test-bed is compatible with commercially available TEM stages for conducting in situ nanostructural observations during annealing. In situ analyses revealed grain growth in gold and nickel nanowires, whereas aluminum nanowires, contrary to conventional wisdom, showed no grain growth even until melting. The absence of grain growth in aluminum can be attributed to the presence of more grain boundary impurities and an oxide layer that inhibit grain boundary migration and consequently grain growth.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Mani, Sathyanarayanan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Taher Saif

• Engineering, Materials Science

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3250285

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/83864