Electrocrystallization in Nanotechnology

Book excerpt: Here, the well-known editor in the field of electrocrystallization and his team of excellent international authors guarantee the high quality of the contributions. Clearly structured in two main parts, this book reviews the fundamentals and applications of electrocrystallization processes in nanotechnology. The first part, "Fundamentals" covers the basic concepts of electrocrystallization, computer simulations of low-dimensional metal phase formation, electrodeposition in templates and nanocavities, nanoscale electrocrystallization from ionic liquids, and superconformal electrodeposition of metals. The second part, "Preparation and properties of nanostructures", includes nanostructuring by STM tip induced localized electrocrystallization of metals, fabrication of ordered anodic nanoporous Al2O3 layers and their application, preparation of nanogaps, nanocontacts, nanowires and nanodots by selective electrochemical deposition, as well as electrodeposition of magnetic nanostructures and multilayers. Georgi Staikov received his MS in physical chemistry from Sofia University in 1968, and subsequently joined the Central Laboratory of Electrochemical Power Sources at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, ultimately becoming deputy director. In 1993 he transferred to the University of Karlsruhe to continue his research with Professor W. J. Lorenz on electrocrystallization and underpotential deposition of metals. He is currently a senior scientist at the Research Center Jülich and an assistant professor at the University of Düsseldorf. Dr. Staikov has over 100 publications to his name, and his current research focuses on the application of electrochemical phase formation processes for nanometer-scale structuring and modification of solid surfaces.