Template synthesis of Y-junction metal nanowires

Template synthesis of large-scale Y-junction metal nanowires is reported. In this approach, a Y-shaped nanochannel porous anodic alumina (PAA) template is prepared by using a two-step anodization of aluminum in which the metal of interest, such as copper, is electrodeposited to form the Y-junction metal nanowires. The synthesis method presented here is simple and versatile. This method can be extended to the preparation of other Y-junction nanowires with desirable composition and shows great promise for the development of nanoelectronics.