Electrochemical Fabrication of Pd-Ag Alloy Nanowire Arrays in Anodic Alumina Oxide Template

The synthesis of Pd-Ag alloy nanowires in nanopores of porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template by electrochemical deposition technique was reported. Pd-Ag alloy nanowires with 16%-25% Ag content are expected to serve as candidates of useful nanomaterials for the hydrogen sensors. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersed X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were employed to characterize the morphologies and compositions of the Pd-Ag nanowires. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to characterize the phase properties of the Pd-Ag nanowires. Pd-Ag alloy nanowire arrays with 17.28%-23.76% Ag content have been successfully fabricated by applying potentials ranging from -0.8 to -1.0 V (vs SCE). The sizes of the alloy nanowires are in agreement with the diameter of AAO nanopores. The underpotential deposition of Ag+ on Pd and Au plays an important role in producing an exceptionally high Ag content in the alloy. Alloy compositions can still be controlled by adjusting the ion concentration ratio of Pd2+ and Ag+ and the electrodeposition processes. XRD shows that nanowires obtained are in the form of alloy of Pd and Ag.