Tungsten oxide was successfully deposited on the surface of copper powder and the thickness of coating layer was dependent on deposition time. Because a spontaneous reaction occurred on the interface between copper and tungsten-peroxo electrolyte, there was a maximum thickness that could be obtained, as confirmed from XRD and EDX results. Mesoporous tungsten oxide was also deposited using SDS as a structure directing agent. As-synthesized tungsten oxide was amorphous and, after calcination at 450 degrees C, crystallized tungsten oxide was produced. Compared to pure tungsten oxide, the tungsten oxide coated copper oxide showed enhanced absorption in the visible region. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.