Solving the global problem of crystalline metal nanostructure.

Is there any general technique that can be used to manufacture high-quality metal nanostructures at low cost and controllable conditions? This has always been the international research frontier and focus over these years. Liu Ze and his team from School of Civil Engineering have given the positive answer, their research results on advanced manufacturing mechanics were published online in journal Nature Communications (the subordinate serials of Nature, IF 11.329 in 2015).

Liu Ze is the only corresponding author on the paper One-step fabrication of crystalline metal nanostructures by direct nanoimprinting below melting temperatures on which Wuhan University takes the first unit position. The research has been supported by the Youth Program of Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the General Program of Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province, and the 351 Talents Program of Wuhan University.

Abstract:

Controlled fabrication of metallic nanostructures plays a central role in much of modern science and technology, because changing the dimensions of a nanocrystal enables tailoring of its mechanical, electronic, optical, catalytic and antibacterial properties. Here we show direct superplastic nanoimprinting (SPNI) of crystalline metals well below their melting temperatures, generating ordered nanowire arrays with aspect ratios up to ～2,000 and imprinting features as small as 8 nm. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra reveal strongly enhanced electromagnetic signals from the prepared nanorod arrays with sizes up to ～100 nm, which indicates that our technique can provide an ideal way to fabricate robust SERS substrates. SPNI, as a one-step, controlled and reproducible nanofabrication method, could facilitate the applications of metal nanostructures in bio-sensing, diagnostic imaging, catalysis, food industry and environmental conservation.

The results are expected to play an important role in promoting the basic theoretical research of various metal nanostructures and the practical applications. Liu and his team have already applied for the Chinese invention patents.

 He has engaged in the research of multi-disciplinary multi-scale solid mechanics. Liu joined Wuhan University at the end of 2015 and had initially established the Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing Mechanics (LAMM).

>>>The paper link：

http://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms14910