Self-assembly growth of electrolytic silver dendrites.

The atomic level assembly of silver dendrite has never been disclosed despite the numerous studies published on fractal dendrite structures. We report for the first time an HRTEM investigation of the formation of atomic embryos (< 5 nm) and the self-assembly of atoms on an atomic plane of the tip of a dendrite arm. The mechanism of dendrite formation proceeds via the sequence of amorphous embryos aggregates (5-10 nm), nuclei, crystallites (10-20 nm), dendritelets (50-100 nm) and submicron dendrite protypes. The atomic plane is an entirely atomic-level zig-zag structure with d-spacing kink steps. The zig-zag structure triggers the self-assembly of atoms and thus directional growth to produce a dendrite arm with a high aspect ratio.

Connecting carbon nanotubes using Sn.

Process of Sn coating on mutiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and formation of interconnections among nanotubes are studied using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Surface oxidation of nanotubes during heating with HNO3 prior to the SnCl2 treatment and the bonding between functional groups and Sn are found to be responsible for the coating and its stability. Open nanotubes are filled as well as coated during tin chloride treatment. Coating and filling are converted into the coatings on the inner as well as outer walls of the nanotubes during reduction with H2/N2. EDX studies show the formation of intermetallic compounds e.g., Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn at the joints between nanotubes. Formation of intermetallic compounds is supposed to be responsible for providing the required strength for bending and twisting of nanotubes joining of nanotubes. Paper presents a detailed mechanism of coating and filling processes, and interconnections among nanotubes.