Figure 1

(a) Top-view SEM image of Ag@Al₂O₃ nanorods; inset is a corresponding side-view SEM image. (b) HRTEM image of the Ag@Al₂O3 nanorods. (c) A typical Al 2p XPS spectrum of the Al₂O₃ layer. (d) Ag 3d_5/2 and Ag 3d_3/2 XPS spectra of Ag@Al₂O₃ nanorods.