Engineering morphological features and surface steps in ultrathick penta-twinned copper nanowires

Abstract

Controlling and foreseeing copper nanostructure properties remains an open challenge in the field of nanoscience. Here, we elucidate the role of glycine as a templating agent to synthesize ultrathick copper nanowires (CuNWs) with a precise control over their morphology and crystal structure. Comprehensive characterization was carried out using orthogonal technique analyses, such as SEM, HR-TEM, AFM, XRD, and electrochemistry, which enable us to gain a complete insight into both the bulk and the surface properties of the CuNWs. In particular, the synthesized CuNWs exhibited a wide range of diameters, from 65 nm to more than 400 nm, and well-defined exposed surfaces composed of the (100) and (110) crystal facets. This precise control over the physicochemical properties of CuNWs could potentially impact different fields of nanotechnologies, ranging from renewable energy to high-speed electronics.