Well-aligned Cu(OH)(2) nanoribbon and CuO nanorod arrays have been prepared on copper substrates by liquid-solid reactions. The effects of temperature, reaction time, solvent, and pH value on the morphology and composition of the products are systematically studied. Using the Cu(OH)(2) nanoribbons array as a reactive and sacrificial template, we have successfully synthesized Cu2O, Cu9S8, and Cu nanoribbon/ nanowire arrays, demonstrating the versatility of the template. The extensive series of copper-based one dimensional nanomaterials have been fully characterized by various structural, microscopic, and spectroscopic techniques. Moreover, the Cu nanowires are demonstrated to be an excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate with a sensitivity over an order of magnitude higher than that of a common roughened copper electrode.