  Various metallic structures of complex shape resembling living plant
organisms (biomimetics) are produced as a result of selfassembly of nanowires
growing on porous membranes in the course of pulse current electrodeposition.
These structures occur if the electroplating is continued after the nanowires
appear on the membrane surface. By varying the membrane ge- ometry, pulse
current electroplating parameters, and alternating electrodeposition from two
baths composed of a variety of electrolytes, diverse models were fabricated,
including a hollow container with a wall thickness of 10 nm to 20 nm. This
biomimetic method suggests an analogy between the shape forming processes of
plants and their metallic models. Nanostruc- tured mesostructures of various
metals (Ag, Pd, Ni), alloys (PdNi, PbIn) and hybrid structures (PdNiPb,
PdNiPbIn) were obtained. They can be of interest for fundamental research
(self-assembly, morphogenesis) as well as for applications in nanotechnology
(catalysis, nanoplasmonics, medicine, superhydrophobic surfaces).
