Wormlike micelle templated synthesis of mono- and bi-metallic nanochain networks with adjustable structure and constituents

Abstract

A wormlike micelle templated attachment growth approach for the preparation of mono- and bi-metallic nanochain networks is reported. Zwitterionic wormlike micelles with PtCl₆²⁻ and PdCl₄²⁻ counterions were fabricated for the first time as soft-templates. A possible soft-template assisted attachment-based growth mechanism for nanochain formation is proposed for the morphological replica process. The present strategy was further extended to synthesize alloyed noble-metal such as Pt–Au, Pd–Au, and Pt–Pd nanochain networks. The results presented may provide inspirations and strategies for the fabrication of noble metal nanostructures with adjustable structures and constituents through soft templated attachment growth.