Dendrimers as “controllers” for modulation of electrodeposited silver nanostructures

Electrodeposition of silver nanostructures on a polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers-modified surface has been reported. The assembled PAMAM monolayer film was used as a substrate for electrodeposition. We found that the PAMAM dendrimers obviously affected nucleation growth and silver nanostructures (spherical, dendritic and “fish bone” shapes) were obtained, which were different from those deposited on unmodified surfaces. It was attributed to the unique structures and properties of PAMAM dendrimers compared with linear polymers. Field-emitted scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the deposited nanostructures. The effects of electrodeposition potential and time, Ag+ concentration, and the electrolyte were carefully investigated and studied. These results showed that PAMAM dendrimers could be used as “controllers” for modulation of deposited silver nanostructures.