Iron nanowires (FeNWs) and copper-sheathed iron nanowires (Fe/CuNWs) were prepared and used as co-catalyst in aerobic oxidation of acroleine catalyzed by N-hydroxyphtalimide (NHPI). Acroleine was smoothly transformed into acrylic acid with up to 97 % yields at room temperature under atmospheric pressure of dioxygen. The influence of the rotational motion of co-catalysts on the dynamics of the catalytic reaction and their activity when recycling the process was studied. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.