Fabrication of functional micro- and nanoneedle electrodes using a carbon nanotube template and electrodeposition

Abstract

Carbon nanotube (CNT) is an attractive material for needle-like conducting electrodes because it has high electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. However, CNTs cannot provide the desired properties in certain applications. To obtain micro-and nanoneedles having the desired properties, it is necessary to fabricate functional needles using various other materials. In this study, functional micro-and nanoneedle electrodes were fabricated using a tungsten tip and an atomic force microscope probe with a CNT needle template and electrodeposition. To prepare the conductive needle templates, a single-wall nanotube nanoneedle was attached onto the conductive tip using dielectrophoresis and surface tension. Through electrodeposition, Au, Ni, and polypyrrole were each coated successfully onto CNT nanoneedle electrodes to obtain the desired properties.