Cu nanostructures formed via redox reaction of Zn nanowire and Cu2+ containing solutions

A series of redox reactions were performed using Zn nanowire and Cu2+ containing solutions with different concentration. Various Cu containing nanostructures resulted from the solution reaction, including Cu particle decorated ZnO nanotube, Cu particle chain and uniform single crystalline Cu nanorods. Transmission electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer and energy filtering system was used to investigate the morphology and the chemical composition of the resulting nanostructures. The experimental data strongly suggested that the redox reaction occurred both at the Zn nanowire broken surface and its oxide sheath surface. Possible formation mechanisms of these nanostructures were discussed.