Copper oxide nanowires prepared by thermal oxidation for chemical sensing

Copper oxide nanowires (NWs) were prepared grown by thermal oxidation of metallic Cu thin layer deposited by RF sputtering on various substrates. A strong relation between oxidation parameters and morphology has been detected, and thus optimal growth parameters were found. The preliminary response of this alternative p-type sensing material, using nanowire's mat-based device, to various oxidizing and reducing target gases has been evaluated, in order to corroborate the functional properties of the CuO NWs as potential sensing material under certain conditions. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.