Electrodeposition of Cu2O nanowires using nanoporous alumina template

We first electrodeposited highly ordered Cu2O nanowires using a home-made alumina template. Home-made nanoporous alumina templates were prepared by a two-step anodization method and selective removal of aluminum substrate by bromine solution. Chronopotentiometry (i.e., constant current method) of -0.5 mA/cm(2) was applied to deposit compact Cu2O nanowires without disconnection into the honeycomb shaped pores of a home-made nanoporous alumina membrane. Analyzing morphological observations by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, we observed that the diameter of Cu2O nanowire was ca. 57 nm and the length was 4 mum demonstrating an aspect ratio of 70. X-ray diffraction structural analysis indicated that Cu2O(200) was preferentially formed compared with other Cu2O crystalline phases which may be due to an adjusted solution pH 9. (C) 2004 The Electrochemical Society.