Hydrogen-assisted stabilization of Ni nanowires in solution

• Published in: Applied physics letters 2005-07, Vol.87 (4), p.043104-043104-3
• Main Authors: Kiguchi, Manabu, Konishi, Tatsuya, Murakoshi, Kei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0003-6951; 1077-3118
• DOI: 10.1063/1.2001142

We have studied conductance characteristics of mechanically fabricated Ni nanoconstrictions under controlling electrochemical potential and p H of the electrolyte. The conductance histogram showed a clear feature peaked at 1-1.5 G 0 ( G 0 = 2 e 2 ∕ h ) when the potential of the constriction was kept at more negative potential than − 900 mV versus Ag ∕ AgCl at p H = 3.7 . A comparable feature also appeared at a more positive potential when a lower p H solution was used. We have revealed that Ni monoatomic contact or monoatomic wire can be stabilized in solution at room temperature under the hydrogen evolution.