Cu2S/Au core/sheath nanowires prepared by a simple redox deposition method

We have deposited continuous Au films on the Cu2S nanowire surfaces using a simple redox reaction, forming a novel type of Cu2S/Au core/sheath nanowires. The core/sheath nanostructures were characterized by various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The Cu2S core that was used as the template was typically similar to60 nm thick, and the Au coating was from a few nm up to 100 nm thick depending on the coating time period and the concentration of Au3+ in the coating solution. The Au coating layer was found to be polycrystalline. For relatively thick Au coatings, we have successfully fabricated Au nanotubes by etching away the Cu2S core.