Nanorecycling: Monolithic integration of copper and copper oxide nanowire network electrode through selective reversible photothermochemical reduction

Abstract

Laser induced selective photothermochemical reduction is demonstrated to locally and reversibly control the oxidation state of Cu and Cu oxide nanowires in ambient conditions without any inert gas environment. This new concept of "nano recycling" can monolithically integrate Cu and Cu oxide nanowires by restoring oxidized Cu, considered unusable for the electrode, back to a metallic state for repetitive reuse.