It is found that both Cu(OH)2 nanoparticles and amorphous copper phyllosilicate are confirmed to present in the dried samples, whereas CuO nanoparticles and undercomposed copper phyllosilicate are determined in the calcined samples. Cu(OH)2 nanoparticles are prone to assemble to wire-like structure during sample preparation, and their structure can be well preserved after calcination and silica dispersed CuO nanowires were obtained.

The preparation procedure of precipitation gel is favorable for the formation of copper phyllosilicate, which is rather stable and played a profound effect on both the structure and thermal stability of the samples. In addition, the high dispersion and the one-dimensional structure of copper also contribute to the high stability of the samples.

The combined advantages of high dispersion, small crystallite sizes, and high thermal stability of the samples prepared by PG method make them promising materials for catalysts. Furthermore, the wirelike structure of the Cu(OH)2 in the dried samples and CuO in the calcined samples with high CuO loadings may also have relevant biological, photoelectrical, and magnetic implications.

The work has received support from the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of China and National Natural Science Foundation of China.

The findings have been published in J. Phys. Chem. C (J. Phys. Chem. C 2010, 114, 16104–16113).

J. Phys. Chem. C Paper