Formation of Oxide Nanotubes and Bamboo-Like Structures via Oxidation of Cu, Fe and Ni Nanowires

The formation process of oxide nanotube via metal oxidation reaction was studied by transmission electron microscopy for Cu, Fe, and Ni nanowires. Cu2O and Fe3O4 nanotubes were formed after the oxidation of Cu and Fe nanowires with a diameter of 55 nm in air at 423 and 573 K for 3.6 ks, respectively. Both Cu2O and Fe3O4 nanotubes had a cylindrical interior pore with uniform diameter. On the other hand, Ni nanowires became bamboo-like structures of NiO with separate interior pores after oxidation at 673 K for 7.2 ks. The formation of the interior pores in Cu2O and Fe3O4 nanotubes and NiO bamboo-like structures can be explained by the rapid outward diffusion of metal ions through the oxide layers and the clustering of excess vacancies.