Patent ID: 8399054
Filing Date: 2013-03-19
Classification: B22F,C30B,H01B

Abstract:
1. A method of making metal nanowires comprising: depositing a film on a substrate, the film consisting essentially of a metal composition and a matrix composition, the metal composition having a melting temperature and a coefficient of thermal expansion, the matrix composition and the substrate each being substantially immiscible with the metal composition in the deposited film and having a higher melting temperature and lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the metal composition, the film having a surface on the substrate and an opposite uncovered surface, the film being deposited on the substrate such that the metal composition is dispersed as a phase of nanometer size volumes in a matrix composition phase and at a temperature at which the metal composition phase does not experience a force tending to expel the metal composition from the film; and, thereafter, heating the film to a temperature below the melting temperature of the metal composition to cause at least a portion of the metal composition to be expelled from the uncovered surface of the film in the form of metal nanowires.