Self-Assembly of Copper Oxide Core-Shell Nanowires Through Ethyl Alcohol

The control of the core-shell structure at the nanometer is one of the most fundamental chal‐ lenges in condensed matter science [Deville et al., 2009; Woodley et al., 2008; Bannin, 2007; Ji et al., 2007; Lauhon et al., 2002]. One of the fundamental concepts regarding the synthesis of nanowires via the spontaneous self-organization of individual nanoparticles, called spontane‐ ous organization nanocrystals, refers to the formation of two-dimensional (2-D) and 3-D ar‐ rays of nanoparticles or nanowires [Tang et al., 2002; Lu et al., 2002; Balazs et al., 2006; Tang et al., 2006]. The copper-oxide based system, such as Cu2O [Huang et al., 2012; Hong et al., 2011; Yao et al., 2010], CuO [Wu, 2012; Cheng et al., 2007; Chou et al., 2008], and Cu2O@CuO [Yec et al., 2012], has been known to facilitate oxidation reactions in the bulk material, which may al‐ low it to be a cost effective substitute for noble metals in various catalytic systems. With recent developments in nanostructures synthesis leading to the ability to control size, reproducibility and structural complexity [Lauhon et al., 2002; Fan et al., 2006; Lu et al., 2005], it becomes worthwhile and possibly paramount to define specific target structures for the nanoparticles based on an understanding of the mechanism of the self-organization mechanism. Upto now, many complex procedures, such as vapor-liquid-solid, chemical vapor deposition, thermal evaporation, and chemical reactions, have been developed for the synthesis of one-dimension‐ al materials of Copper-based nano compounds [Huang et al., 2012; Hong et al., 2011; Yao et al., 2010]. In addition to these methods, solution chemical route including solvothermal, hydro‐ thermal, self-assembly, and template-assisted chemical vapor deposition has become a prom‐ ising option for large –scale production of nanomaterials, due to the simple, fast, and less expensive virtues [Xin et al., 2002; Li et al., 1999; Lu et al., 2000; Hung et al., 2004; Roy et al., 2003; Baxter et al., 2003]. However, a new type of immersing nanoparticles into liquid alcohol