Abstract
ZnxCu1−xO (where x= 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07 and 0.1 mol%) hierarchical nanostructures have been prepared via soft chemical route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results of the synthesized samples reveal the monoclinic structure of CuO without any impurity related phases. The micro-structural parameters such as crystallite size and microstrain have been strongly influenced by Zn doping. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses depict the formation of hierarchical nanostructures having average particle size in the range of 26-43 nm. The surface area of CuO nanostructures has been reduced systematically with the increase in Zn content which is linked with the variations in particle size. An obvious decrease in the optical band gap energy of the synthesized CuO hierarchical nanostructures has been observed with Zn doping which is assigned to the formation of shallow levels in the band gap of CuO and combined transition from oxygen 2p states to d sates of Cu and Zn ions. The bactericidal potency of the CuO hierarchical nanostructures have been found to be enhanced remarkably with Zn doping.
Highlights
Cupric oxide (CuO) has been widely exploited for large number of applications such as high Tc superconductors, lithium ion batteries, solar cells, antibacterial agents and catalysis due to its higher natural occurrence of its starting materials, low cost production, biosafety, higher electric and thermal conductivities, wide range of light absorption and chemical stability.[1,2,3] The functionalities of these devices can be tremendously enhanced by utilizing CuO nanostructures which inherit the bulk characteristics as well as acquire new properties linked with its unique shape and nanoscale dimensions.[4]
An obvious decrease in the optical band gap energy of the synthesized CuO hierarchical nanostructures has been observed with Zn doping which is assigned to the formation of shallow levels in the band gap of CuO and combined transition from oxygen 2p states to d sates of Cu and Zn ions
All the diffraction peaks in figure 1 could be well indexed to the typical monoclinic structure of CuO with no other crystallographic phases related to Zn or other impurities
Summary
Cupric oxide (CuO) has been widely exploited for large number of applications such as high Tc superconductors, lithium ion batteries, solar cells, antibacterial agents and catalysis due to its higher natural occurrence of its starting materials, low cost production, biosafety, higher electric and thermal conductivities, wide range of light absorption and chemical stability.[1,2,3] The functionalities of these devices can be tremendously enhanced by utilizing CuO nanostructures which inherit the bulk characteristics as well as acquire new properties linked with its unique shape and nanoscale dimensions.[4].
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