An unconventional mechanism of hollow nanorod formation: asymmetric Cu diffusion in AuCu alloy nanorods during galvanic replacement reaction

This study investigates how AuCu 3 alloy nanorods transform into hollow rods during a galvanic replacement reaction. An unusual reaction intermediate was observed where the solid nanorod became partially hollow and Cu rich at one end. This was attributed to simultaneous galvanic replacement and asymmetric diffusion of Cu due to the Kirkendall effect. The hollow AuCu nanorods showed enhanced catalytic activity for p -nitrophenol reduction. AuCu alloy nanorods are used as templates in a galvanic replacement reaction to form hollow nanorods through an unconventional mechanism involving the asymmetric diffusion of Cu.