Issue 11, 2022

Self-assembly, alignment, and patterning of metal nanowires

Abstract

Armed with the merits of one-dimensional nanostructures (flexibility, high aspect ratio, and anisotropy) and metals (high conductivity, plasmonic properties, and catalytic activity), metal nanowires (MNWs) have stood out as a new class of nanomaterials in the last two decades. They are envisaged to expedite significantly and even revolutionize a broad spectrum of applications related to display, sensing, energy, plasmonics, photonics, and catalysis. Compared with disordered MNWs, well-organized MNWs would not only enhance the intrinsic physical and chemical properties, but also create new functions and sophisticated architectures of optoelectronic devices. This paper presents a comprehensive review of assembly strategies of MNWs, including self-assembly for specific structures, alignment for anisotropic constructions, and patterning for precise configurations. The technical processes, underlying mechanisms, performance indicators, and representative applications of these strategies are described and discussed to inspire further innovation in assembly techniques and guide the fabrication of optoelectrical devices. Finally, a perspective on the critical challenges and future opportunities of MNW assembly is provided.

Graphical abstract: Self-assembly, alignment, and patterning of metal nanowires

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
02 jul 2022
Accepted
29 aug 2022
First published
31 aug 2022

Nanoscale Horiz., 2022,7, 1299-1339

Self-assembly, alignment, and patterning of metal nanowires

Y. Chen, T. Liang, L. Chen, Y. Chen, B. Yang, Y. Luo and G. Liu, Nanoscale Horiz., 2022, 7, 1299 DOI: 10.1039/D2NH00313A

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