Lateral alumina templates for carbon nanotubes and semiconductor nanowires synthesis

We present here, a novel approach for the membrane-based synthesis, also called template synthesis of arrays of nanomaterials with monodispersed geometrical features. The basic principle is to grow or generate the desired material inside the pores of a nanoporous alumina membrane. The pores of are synthesised parallel to the surface of the substrate by performing the anodic oxidation of an aluminium thin film laterally, i.e. parallel to the surface of the substrate, instead of perpendicular as usually done. We obtain highly regular and ordered pore arrays, with a minimum pore size in the range of ∼ 3 to 4 nm, which to the best of our knowledge is the smallest reported to date for anodic alumina membranes. After anodic oxidation, the pores of the lateral alumina membranes have been electrochemically "filled" with Te nanowires. Such porous alumina structures may allow to controll the in-plane organisation of arrays of template-grown nanowires and carbon nanotubes for reproducible device fabrication.