Controllable Elasticity Storage and Release in CuO−Pt Core‐Shell Nanowires

Abstract One‐dimensional (1D) core‐shell heterostructures can exhibit novel and flexible properties when two different materials are combined. In this work, Pt nanoparticles are directly deposited onto CuO nanowires (NWs), forming 1D CuO−Pt core‐shell heterostructures with elastic and plastic behaviors dominating in the CuO‐core and Pt‐shell, respectively, under bending deformation. Interestingly, the plastically deformed Pt‐shell leads to a delayed or even terminated elasticity restoration of the CuO‐core NWs after unloading. Moreover, the release of the elasticity in CuO NW can be easily regulated not only via controlling the diameter of the CuO−Pt NWs, but also by thermal heating. The result shows a flexible 1D nanostructure with potential applications in micro/nano electro‐mechanical systems, such as mechanical energy storage and thermal sensors.