Preparation of Ag Core–Cu Shell Nanoparticles by Microwave-assisted Alcohol Reduction Process

We have succeeded in rapidly preparing Ag core–Cu shell nanoparticles (denoted as Cu/Ag nanoparticles) having 10–40 nm in size by a microwave (MW)-assisted alcohol reduction process. The core–shell nanoparticles were prepared by step-by-step successive reduction of a silver precursor and then of a copper precursor added after the formation of silver nanoparticles in 1-heptanol.