Fabrication of copper nanowire encapsulated in the pore channels of SBA-15 by metal organic chemical vapor deposition

Abstract

Copper nanowires encapsulated in 6-nm pore channels of SBA-15 were synthesized by metal organic chemical vapor deposition at a low temperature in this study. It was found that chemically modifying the SBA pore surface by carbon deposition helps to synthesize better quality copper nanostructures in the pore channels of SBA-15. More importantly, using hydrogen as a reducing agent and carrier gas can produce significantly improved copper nanowires encapsulated in SBA-15. This enhancement is due to the chemical decomposition and reduction of organometallic precursor (copper(II) acetylacetonate) into smaller fragments that can more easily penetrate the interior of the SBA-15 porous structure. The dimensions of the encapsulated metal nanowire can be tailored by using different pore-sized substrates. This is the first time tuned copper nanowires encapsulated in the nanopore channels of well-defined porous structure have been synthesized under mild conditions. © 2007 American Chemical Society.