title: Nanoporous Ge electrode as a template for nano-sized ( <5 nm) Au aggregates.
abstract: In this paper we present the extremely peculiar electrical properties of nanoporous Ge. A full and accurate electrical characterization showed an unexpected and extremely high concentration of positive carriers. Electrochemical analyses showed that nanoporous Ge has improved charge transfer properties with respect to bulk Ge. The electrode behavior, together with the large surface-to-volume ratio, make nanoporous Ge an efficient nanostructured template for the realization of other porous materials by electrodeposition. The pores were efficiently decorated by Au nanoparticles of diameter as low as 1-5 nm, prepared by electrochemical deposition. These new results demonstrate the potential and efficient use of nanoporous Ge as a nanostructured template for nano-sized Au aggregates, opening the way for the realization of innovative sensor devices.
authors.affiliation: CNR-IMM MATIS and Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università di Catania, Via S Sofia 64, I-95123 Catania, Italy. giuliana.impellizzeri@ct.infn.it
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Impellizzeri
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fraboni
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scavetta
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ruffino
authors.forename: Corrado
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bongiorno
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Privitera
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Grimaldi