Fabrication of freestanding metallic micro hollow tubes by template-free localized electrochemical deposition

Abstract

We describe a technique to fabricate three-dimensional (3D), freestanding metallic micro hollow tubes by template-free localized electrochemical deposition. The features of the grown structure are controlled by the field strength distribution in its proximity that depends on the applied voltage and the microelectrode-structure distance (L). The formation of micro hollow tubes is induced by the enhanced electric field at the microelectrode rim for small L values (a few micrometers or less) and high applied voltages. © 2007 The Electrochemical Society.