Generalized Redox-Responsive Assembly of Carbon-Sheathed Metallic and Semiconducting Nanowire Heterostructures

One-dimensional metallic/semiconducting materials have demonstrated as building blocks for various potential applications. Here, we report on a unique synthesis technique for redox-responsive assembled carbon-sheathed metal/semiconducting nanowire heterostructures that does not require a metal catalyst. In our approach, germanium nanowires are grown by the reduction of germanium oxide particles and subsequent self-catalytic growth during the thermal decomposition of natural gas, and simultaneously, carbon sheath layers are uniformly coated on the nanowire surface. This process is a simple, reproducible, size-controllable, and cost-effective process whereby most metal oxides can be transformed into metallic/semiconducting nanowires. Furthermore, the germanium nanowires exhibit stable chemical/thermal stability and outstanding electrochemical performance including a capacity retention of ∼96% after 1200 cycles at the 0.5–1C rate as lithium-ion battery anode.