Self-Supporting Metal Nanotube Networks Obtained by Highly Conformal Electroless Plating

We present a versatile approach for the fabrication of well-defined networks of interconnected metal nanotubes, which applies electroless plating to ion-track-etched polymer templates that enclose designed pore networks. In order to obtain self-supporting structures, the deposition reactions must be optimized to yield conformal nanoscale metal films on microstructured substrates possessing extensive inner surfaces. Using this route, gold, copper, silver, nickel, and platinum nanotube networks are synthesized. The resulting structures can be handled macroscopically and combine a large surface area with continuous mass transport and conduction pathways, rendering them promising for application in, for example, electrocatalysis and sensing. This potential is demonstrated by employing a gold nanotube network for the amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide, in which excellent sensitivity, catalyst utilization, and stability is achieved.