Aligned arrays of nanotubes and segmented nanotubes on substrates fabricated by electrodeposition onto nanorods.

We describe an electrochemical-based approach to create vertically aligned nanotube arrays on substrates. Initially, nanoporous anodic alumina films are used as templates to electrodeposit nanorods, and then the alumina templates are removed and nanotube arrays are electrodeposited using the nanorod arrays as templates. We have used this approach to fabricate gold nanotube arrays using nickel nanorods as templates. By anodizing the ends of the nickel nanorods before gold electrodeposition, no deposition occurs at the ends of the rods, resulting in open-ended nanotubes. In addition, we have used layered nickel-gold nanorods as templates to create gold nanostructure arrays with alternating segments of filled and empty nanotubes. This approach is versatile and may be used to electrodeposit a wide range of nanotube materials with good control over the nanotube dimensions.