Abstract

Cupric oxide (CuO) nanostructures having different morphologies such as spherical, vesicular, nanosheet and platelet were synthesized from copper sulfate in presence of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and oxalic acid utilizing chemical precipitation and hydrothermal methods. Variation in reaction parameters such as synthesis method and the complexing agent on the morphology of the nanoparticles were investigated. These nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), thermo–gravimetric–differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), UV–Vis DR spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR), BET specific surface area analysis and particle size distribution. Effort has been made to explain the plausible growth mechanism for the formation of morphological structures. The catalytic activities of as-prepared CuO nanostructures were evaluated by monitoring degradation of methylene blue. The sunlight driven photocatalytic degradation rates of methylene blue were found to be 72.57%, 93.48%, 49.71% and 95.71% for spherical, vesicular, sheet like and the platelet like morphologies respectively.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.