Facile Synthesis of Ultrathin AuCu Dimetallic Nanowire Networks

In this paper we describe a rapid and effective wet chemical route to the synthesis of netlike AuCu dimetallic nanowires, in which HAuCl4 and Cu(NO3)2 were co-reduced by NaBH4 in aqueous solution in the presence of surfactant Triton X-100. The nanowires are composed of homogeneous AuCu alloy and possess a uniform diameter of around 3.7 nm. The influence of the experimental parameters including the concentration of the reducing agent and capping agent, kinds of capping agent, and the ratio of Au/Cu on the formation of AuCu nanowires have been studied. Among the various parameters investigated, copper was found to play a key role in facilitating the formation of nanowires by means of an oriented attachment mechanism. This method can be further extended to the synthesis of other copper-containing dimetallic nanowires such as PtCu and PdCu dimetallic nanowire networks.