Template-based synthesis of nanomaterials

The large interest in nanostructures results from their numerous potential applications in various areas such as materials and biomedical sciences, el ectronics, optics, magnetism, energy storage, and electrochemistry. Ultrasm all building blocks have been found to exhibit a broad range of enhanced me chanical, optical, magnetic, and electronic properties compared to coarser- grained matter of the same chemical composition. In this paper various temp late techniques suitable for nanotechnology applications with emphasis on c haracterization of created arrays of tailored nanomaterials have been revie wed. These methods involve the fabrication of the desired material within t he pores or channels of a nanoporous template. Track-etch membranes, porous alumina, and other nanoporous structures have been characterized as templa tes. They have been used to prepare nanometer-sized fibrils, rods, and tubu les of conductive polymers, metals, semiconductors, carbons, and other soli d matter. Electrochemical and electroless depositions, chemical polymerizat ion, sol-gel deposition, and chemical vapour deposition have been presented as major template synthetic strategies. In particular, the template-based synthesis of carbon nanotubes has been demonstrated as this is the most pro mising class of new carbon-based materials for electronic and optic nanodev ices as well as reinforcement nanocomposites.