Erect Au Nanocones Drawn from Au Nano-Films by Nano-Size Au-Si Eutectic Clamping with High Adhesion to Substrates

Abstract

Erect Au nanocones with high adhesion to substrates are obtained by simply drawing from Au nano-films through Au-Si eutectic welding. Nanocones with diameters ranging from about 5 to 150 nm and length ranging from about 60 to 600 nm can be observed on both Au and Si substrate surfaces. Nano-scale Au-Si eutectics formed at the rough Au–silicon film interface under annealing at 450 °C and the subsequent cooling process facilitate the formation of nano-bonding points and draw Au nanocones from Au nano-film by mechanical separation. Erect Au nanocones adhered to Au or Si substrates shows higher light enhancement than itself, observed by FDTD simulation. This method provides new strategy for the fabrication of SERS detectors, solar cells et al. with high stability.