Bismuth quantum-wires arrays fabricated by electrodeposition in nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide and its structural properties

Ultrafine bismuth nanowire arrays have been fabricated by electrodeposition into nanoporous anodic aluminum templates in a composite electrolyte solution, in which the diameter of nanowire as low as 3 nm can be obtained. The micrographs and crystal structures of Bi nanowires are studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It is found that each nanowire is essentially a single crystal and has a different orientation in an array. The optical properties of the Bi nanowire arrays are studied by UV-VIS spectra. The experimental results exhibit blue-shifted phenomena with decreasing wire diameter, which is qualitatively consistent with the effective medium theory.