In situ study on stability of copper oxide nanomaterials by e-beam irradiation

Cu 2 O nanoparticles and CuO nanowires were prepared by a thermal oxidation method. The high-energy e-beam in a transmission electron microscope was used to study the anti-radiation properties of the Cu 2 O and CuO nanomaterials. The morphology of Cu 2 O nanoparticles greatly changed during irradiating. Notable mass transmission was observed and new grains formed away the irradiated region. By contrast, neither mass transmission was detected nor new grains were formed when CuO nanowires were irradiated at similar situation. No phase transition was detected whether for Cu 2 O nanoparticles or CuO nanowires during irradiation. The chemical and mechanical stabilities of CuO and Cu 2 O under e-beam irradiation were discussed.