Preparation of novel cuprous oxide-fullerene[60] core-shell nanowires and nanoparticles via a copper(I)-assisted fullerene-polymerization reaction

A copper(I) (Cu(I))-assisted fullerene (C₆₀)-polymerization method has been developed for the seamless coating on nanosized objects of cuprous oxide (Cu₂O), forming novel Cu₂O-C₆₀ core-shell nanostructures. It is based on a reaction of C₆₀ and ethyl isocyanoacetate to form polymerized fulleropyrolines, catalyzed by and thus coated on the Cu₂O nanomaterials. Cu₂O nanoribbons and nanocubes were used in this work to demonstrate the nanocoating method. The Cu₂O-C₆₀ core-shell nanostructures were characterized comprehensively, revealing a uniform, covalently polymerized C₆₀ shell that closely sheaths the Cu₂O nanostructures. Details of the Cu(I)-assisted C₆₀-polymerization process are proposed, which combines the solution chemistry and surface chemistry of C₆₀- The Cu₂O cores in the composite nanocubes could be removed, yielding monodispersed C₆₀) nanoboxes. Preliminary measurements demonstrated enhanced photocurrent of the Cu₂O-C₆₀) nanoribbons arrayed on Cu foil compared to that of the Cu₂O nanoribbons. © 2008 American Chemical Society.