PhD in Materials Science And Nanotechnology

Metallic nanowires (MNWs) combine excellent electrical, thermal, mechanical and optical properties, making them highly attractive across high value manufacturing sectors such as wearable electronics, catalysis, energy storage and environmental remediation./nThere is a need for a more facile, environmentally, cost effective and scalable synthesis route for metal nanowires that this project will seek to address./nIn this project, low-cost commercially available electroless plating processes for Copper and Nickel will be used enhancing the chances of scale-up. In a highly novel approach, non-noble earth-abundant electroless plating initiators such as Co and Fe will be used to initiate the electroless reaction (reducing cost). In addition, the synthesis route is template-free reducing waste and eliminating the need for environmentally hostile etchants. An innovative high-frequency ultrasound approach will be used to dislodge and disperse the synthesised nanowires. Finally, to conclude the project, the nanowires will be tested in the formulation of conductive inks as an alternative for industrial conductive ink manufacturing based in critical raw materials.