Synthesis of Cu-Ag, Cu-Au, and Cu-Pt Core-Shell Nanowires and Their Use in Transparent Conducting Films

This article describes a room-temperature solution-phase process for the synthesis of copper-silver (Cu-Ag), copper-gold (Cu-Au), and copper-platinum (Cu-Pt) core-shell nanowires (NWs) in which ascorbic acid removes the passivating copper oxide coating from the Cu NWS and reduces noble metal ions onto the Cu NWs while preventing galvanic replacement. Cu-Ag NWS are conductive as printed, and the resulting NW films exhibit optoelectronic properties equivalent to films of Ag NWs with a similar aspect ratio. Unlike Cu NWs, Cu-Ag NWs were resistant to oxidation in dry air at 160 degrees C and under humid conditions (85% RH) at 85 degrees C for 24 h.