One‐Dimensional Self‐Assembly of Metallic Nanostructures on Single‐Walled Carbon‐Nanotube Bundles

Bundled up: A novel self-assembly method for the formation of 1D metallic nanostructures using single-walled carbon-nanotube bundles as the growth template is presented. Deposition of metals such as Au, Ag, and Cu results in 1D nanocluster arrays, the number of which depends on the metal coverage and the diameter of the supporting bundles. Room-temperature deposition of Ti, Zr, and Mo leads to fractal islands nucleating on the bundle surface at low coverage, and a 2D wetting layer at higher coverages. At higher temperatures, Ti forms continuous ultrafine nanowires (see image) templated by grooves on the bundle surface.