Synthesis of conducting nanowires

Work reported on the synthesis of nanowires of different metals /alloys and semiconductors respectively in recent years is reviewed. The methods used mostly belong to one of the following categories: chemical, electrodeposition, physical and filling of carbon nanotubes. Electrical properties investigated for some of these nanowires indicate quantum mechanical effects to be present. Nanodevice fabrication using doped semiconducting nanowires has also been reported. (Examples include silicon, gold, silver, and platinum, among others.)