Rapid, localized synthesis of titanium-based nanoswords on MEMS

Herein, we report the discovery of a uniquely-shaped, titanium-based nanostructure called a "nanosword," utilizing MEMS as the platform and using a rapid and localized induction heating system. The simple synthesis technique yields high-quality nanostructures with a rare shape that is broad and flat, tapering to a sharp tip with a curvature as low as 2 nm. Sans catalyst and self-sourced from an evaporated layer of titanium, they are synthesized in only 2-5 minutes by the selective heating of ring-shaped microstructures. Growth rates were observed to be 1- 2 mum/min and increases in both the nanosword quality and density were observed by increasing the synthesis temperature and source material volume, respectively. The resistivity averaged 0.192Omega-cm. Such high-quality, sharp-tipped nanostructures could be used in applications like nanoswitches, nanocantilevers, nanoprobes, or plasmonic applications such as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and apertureless near-field scanning optical microscopy.