Template assisted fabrication of tin nanospheres by thermal expansion and rapid solidification process

Abstract

Tin (Sn) nanospheres with diameters ranging from 100 to 300nm were fabricated by thermal expansion and rapid solidification process. The Sn melt was injected into an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template to form Sn nanowires. The Sn nanowire and AAO composite was then heated to the Sn melting temperature (similar to 232 degrees C) and quenched to low temperature (8 degrees C). The Sn melt exhibits high surface tension and AAO has nanoscale roughness on its surface. These two properties caused Sn nanospheres to form easily on the AAO surface when the partial Sn melt expanded out from AAO channels and rapidly solidified on the AAO surface.