A facile method to synthesize Ag/CuO composite nanowire arrays for electrochemical detection

Abstract

A novel method using a combination of anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) templates, AgCuO alloy capillary wetting and hydrothermal reaction is developed for preparing Ag/CuO composite nanowire arrays. The nanopores of AAO templates are used for the penetration of molten Ag to form Ag nanowire arrays. Meanwhile, the skeletons of AAO templates are used to react with CuO to produce CuO nanowire arrays via the hydrothermal process. The interfaces and reaction products between AAO templates and CuO are analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Ag/CuO composite nanowire arrays are obtained via the hydrothermal reaction which is introduced to release the Ag nanowire arrays and grow CuO nanowire arrays. The as-obtained composite nanowire arrays show good electrochemical performance for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).