Synthesis of sub-10 nm Cu2O Nanowires by Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-Assisted Electrodeposition

Ordered sub-10 nm cuprous oxide nanowires were synthesized by electrodeposition in anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes assisted with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as soft templates. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrate that a nanowire has a core Of Cu2O and a thin shell of CuO. The formation of ultrathin nanowires is attributed to the arrangement of the PVP in the channels of AAO membranes under an electric field. The diameter and the length of the nanowires depend on the applied potential in the elctrodeposition. UV-vis absorption spectroscopy shows the quantum confinement effect of the Cu2O nanowires.