Research progress on the liquid-phase preparation and surface modification of copper nanowires

Abstract

Copper nanowires are excellent materials for transparent and flexible conducting electrodes in modern nanoscience and nanotechnology because of their unique optical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. With the distinguishing features of relatively low price and natural abundance, copper is an ideal candidate to substitute for noble metals in technical applications. However, the main hindrances to their practical application are the susceptibility of Cu nanowires to oxidation upon exposure to air or water and the difficulty in reducing Cu ions to metallic Cu. The synthesis of copper nanowires with high monodispersity, stability, and oxidation resistance has become a major research goal. Among the wide variety of methods available to generate copper nanowires, liquid-phase reduction has been widely adopted for the advantages of high yield, simple and straightforward operation, relatively low cost, and fewer constraints on reaction conditions, in addition to solving the above problems. This review begins with an introduction to the research background and significance of copper nanowires. First, we present a brief overview of the research advances, including the synthesis and growth mechanisms, of smooth or rough, single-crystal or twinned copper nanowires. Oxidation and surface modification for oxygen-resistance are then discussed, followed by a brief summary and outlook for research in the field.