Facile and mild solution synthesis of Cu2O nanowires and nanotubes driven by screw dislocations

Abstract

We report a green synthesis of Cu₂O nanowires and nanotubes in aqueous solution by reducing Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺ with glucose or fructosevia Fehling's reaction. The screw dislocation-driven growth of Cu₂O nanowires and nanotubes is confirmed by imaging the dislocation contrast, the Eshelby twist associated with dislocations and the spontaneously formed hollow nanotubes.