Influence of synthesis strategy on the formation of microspheres of self-assembled CuO rectangular nanorods and hierarchical structures of self-assembled Cu2O nanospheres from single precursor (copper (II) acetate monohydrate) and their structural, optical, thermal and magnetic properties

Abstract

Here, microspheres of self-assembled CuO rectangular nanorods and hierarchical structures of self-assembled Cu2O nanospheres have been synthesized from single precursor (copper (II) acetate monohydrate) using hydrothermal method. The utility of NH3 and N2H4·H2O as reducing agents for the formation of phases and morphology of CuO and Cu2O has been investigated. The XRD patterns and Raman spectra indicate that the synthesized CuO and Cu2O nanostructures are single phase and high crystalline. The SEM images clearly show that the rectangular shaped CuO nanorods are densely packed and self-organized into microspheres whereas self-assembled Cu2O nanospheres makes hierarchical Cu2O structures. The TEM images reveal that the individual CuO rectangular nanorod is having ends with a small faceted nano-tip-like structure while the hierarchical nanostructures of Cu2O consist of agglomerated nanospheres with distinguishable grain boundaries. The presence of vibrational modes, associated with the relative motion of both copper and oxygen atoms, in the FTIR spectra also supports the formation of CuO and Cu2O phases, respectively. The optical properties of the synthesized materials were revealed using absorption spectra. The thermal behaviour was also investigated through DSC measurements. The magnetic properties have also been investigated in order to explore new insights responsible for specific magnetic behaviour.