Formation of nanospheres of cuprous oxide with a bridge linker ofp-sulfonated calix[8]arene host

Abstract

A new procedure for the modification of cuprous oxide nanospheres withp-sulfonatedcalix[8]arene (pSC8) receptors is reported. Cuprous oxide nanospheres were prepared by the reductionof CuSO4 in pSC8 aqueous solution using hydrazine as a reducing agent. The products werecharacterized by powder x-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy,scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet–visible spectra,energy-dispersive x-ray, and thermogravimetry. The experimental results showedthat uniform cuprous oxide nanoparticles were obtained at low concentration ofCuSO4 with the protection of pSC8 in aqueous phase. Meanwhile, at high concentration ofCuSO4, large hollow and solid nanospheres were synthesized, depending on the amount of pSC8,which was used as a bridge linker during the formation of the nanospheres.