Synthesis of a complex nanostructure of CuO via a coupled chemical route

Abstract

In the present study, we report the preparation of CuO nanopowder by using a coupled chemical method, namely sol-gel/hydrothermal processes. The product of the first stage process (i.e. sol-gel) was a nanocomposite of Cu(OH)2/SDS, while the product of the second stage (i.e. hydrothermal) was a pure phase of CuO nanopowder. The structure and morphology of the prepared samples was characterized using x-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis. The CuO nanostructure assemblies obtained are similar to flower-like structures with intricate geometry. The size of CuO prolate spheroids ranges from 500 nm to 700 nm when they are measured according to a major axis, while they range from 120 nm to 450 nm when the measurement is carried out according to a minor axis. The mechanism growth was explained on the basis of chemical reactions and the role of each reactant in the formation the CuO nanostructure.