Cuprite nanowires by electrodeposition from lyotropic reverse hexagonal liquid crystalline phase

Cuprite (Cu2O) nanowires with diameter of 25-100 nm were electrodeposited from anionic surfactant sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate reverse hexagonal liquid crystalline phase. The nanowires can be grown to up to tens of micrometers in length by simply changing the electrodeposition time. Resistivity measurements suggest improved alignment of the reverse hexagonal liquid crystalline phase under electric field during electrodeposition. The enhanced alignment of the liquid crystalline phase appears essential for the growth of nanowires with high aspect ratio. This new synthesis approach is fast and simple, and a great variety of organized assemblies are potentially available by simply adjusting the liquid crystal type and composition.