Facile synthesis and characterization of Au–Cu, Pt–Cu nanotubes by sacrificial template method

Bimetallic nanotubes with noble metals have already shown more versatile performances than single-metallic nanotubes. However, most of the current methods to prepare bimetallic nanotubes are based on existed hard template, which could not be easily removed after the formation of bimetallic nanotubes. It is still a challenge for synthesizing bimetallic nanotubes without the template removing subsequently. In this research, we developed a novel method to prepare noble metal–copper (Cu) bimetallic nanotubes with Cu nanowires as the sacrificial template. The aqueous solutions with chloroauric acid or palladium chloride were used to bring displacement reaction with Cu nanowires. The simultaneous alloying effect and Kirkendall effect result in hollow nanostructures. The Cu nanowire was converted to a bimetallic hollow with Au–Cu or Pt–Cu alloy nanotubes. This facile method could achieve large-scale preparation of bimetallic nanotubes with noble metals. Furthermore, this alloy nanotube shows superior electrochemical catalytic performance than single-metallic nanoparticles.