  The formation of a 3D network composed of free standing and interconnected Pt
nanowires is achieved by a two-step method, consisting of conformal deposition
of Pt by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on a forest of carbon nanotubes and
subsequent removal of the carbonaceous template. Detailed characterization of
this novel 3D nanostructure was carried out by transmission electron microscopy
(TEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). These characterizations
showed that this pure 3D nanostructure of platinum is self-supported and offers
an enhancement of the electrochemically active surface area by a factor of 50.
