Self-Assembled Nanowire Networks by Deposition of Copper onto Layered-Crystal Surfaces

Self-assembled copper nanowire networks on layered-crystal surfaces are reported. Obtained from a simple thermal evaporation process in ultra high vacuum, they possess high mechanical strength and a significant elevation over a usually step-edge free surface. These features render Cu-induced nanowire networks particularly accessible to various techniques of microcharacterization such as AFM (see Figure).