Clean synthesis of Cu₂O@CeO₂ core@shell nanocubes with highly active interface

The fabrication of multi-component hybrid nanostructures is of vital importance because their two-phase interface could provide a rich environment for redox reactions, which are beneficial for enhancing catalytic performance. Inspired by the above consideration, strongly coupled Cu₂O@CeO₂ core@shell nanostructures have been successfully prepared via a non-organic and clean aqueous route without using any organic additive. In this process, an auto-catalytic redox reaction occurred on the two-phase interface, followed by a triggered self-assembly process. Additionally, the size, morphology and composition of the as-obtained nanostructures can be tuned well by varying the reaction temperature, as well as the species and the amount of Cu precursors. The catalytic tests for peroxidase-like activity and CO oxidation have been conducted in detail, and the results confirm a strong synergistic effect at the interface sites between the CeO₂ and Cu₂O components.