Sensors from electrodeposited metal nanowires

Based on their electronic conductivity behaviour, metallic nanowires may have analytical applications ranging from interconnects to sensors. We present in this paper electrochemical method for synthesizing Mo and Pd metal nanowires ranging in diameter from a few tens of nanometres up to one micrometre, with millimetre lengths. Nanowires are prepared by the electrodeposition of metal at step edges present on a graphite surface. These nanowires can be used to connect metal nanoparticles (Ni, Au, etc.). Once transferred in a polymer cast, they can operate as sensors. We describe how these nanowires may be manipulated to make devices for analytical chemistry and, as an example of such nanodevice, a detailed overview of the characteristics of the first nanowire-based sensor of hydrogen gas (H₂) is given.