Preparation and characterization of copper/silver bimetallic nanowires with core‐shell structure

Core‐shell copper/silver bimetallic nanowires were prepared by replacement reaction with citric acid and polyvinylpyrollidone at room temperature. A uniform silver coating was obtained by strictly controlling the molar ratio of Ag/Cu. The copper/silver composite was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Microscopic analysis shows that a well‐copper/silver core‐shell structure was formed. Thermo‐gravimetry and differential thermal analysis to the composite nanowires show that the silver coatings efficiently inhibit the oxidation of Cu.