Virus-based 3-dimensional nanowire network copper and nickel electrodes

Abstract

Synthesizing a scalable microelectrode at room temperature is possible using bio-templating. To create a novel 3D electrode, we report M13 virus cross-linking and nickel and copper nanowire synthesis. In this process, virus was cross-linked using glutaraldehyde to form mechanically stable hydrogels, which were then mineralized using electroless deposition. The mineralized hydrogels were of micron-scale thickness with sub-micron pore sizes. SEM and FIB imagery provided visual confirmation of highly-networked nanowires, and EDX demonstrated purity of the nanowires as over 95% pure metal.