ABSTRACT
TMOs 1-D nanostructures, especially nanowires (NWs), have attracted significant attention due to their interesting size-dependent and structure-related properties. They have been used in energy devices, biomedical applications, sensors, adsorbents, catalysts and photocatalysts. As they have immense applications in nanotechnology, it is crucial to define them properly then to propose synthetic protocols for large-scale production. Among all the possible methods available, thermal oxidation of metal has demonstrated some obvious advantages, as it appears to be rather straightforward if compared with other physical- or chemical-based processes. This chapter aims to give an overview of 1-D NWs’ synthesis process, focusing on thermal oxidation as the main method. Before proceeding to oxidation processes, we first present the definition of 1-D nanostructures as well as interesting changes that emerge when TMOs are made in these structures. At the end of this chapter, oxidation of copper and titanium for CuO and TiO2 NWs, respectively, is compared, and the typical windows for NWs formation on these metal surfaces are discussed. Although it is possible to grow dense, uniform NWs on both metals, there are discrepancies in describing the growth mechanism of 1-D NWs.
