Controlled synthesis of gold nanocomplex arrays by a combined top-down and bottom-up approach and their electrochemical behavior

Abstract

Patterned arrays of Au nanocomplexes with various features were fabricated over large areas by photolithography with electrochemical synthesis. This combined top-down and bottom-up approach eliminates the significant drawbacks (e.g., small areas, nonhomogeneity, nonuniform distribution) encountered with conventional bottom-up techniques. The effects of the applied voltage, the concentration of the HAuCl4 solution, and the initial Au pattern size on a Au nanocomplex structure array were investigated. The results show that the Au nanocomplex array can be constructed according to different requirements. Electrochemical experiments clearly imply that the Au nanocomplex array electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical sensitivity and capacitance. A Au nanocomplex array on a large template prepared via the top-down and bottom-up approach can be applied to the areas of chemical sensing and optical signal processing in nanoelectronic devices.