Fabrications of hollow nanocubes of Cu(2)O and Cu via reductive self-assembly of CuO nanocrystals

In this work, a template-free synthetic approach for generating single-crystalline hollow nanostructures has been described. Using the small optical band-gap cuprous oxide Cu(2)O as a model case, we demonstrate that, instead of normally known spherical aggregates, primary nanocrystalline particles can first self-aggregate into porous organized solids with a well-defined polyhedral shape according to the oriented attachment mechanism, during which chemical conversion can also be introduced. In contrast to the spherical aggregates, where the nanocrystallites are randomly joined together, the Cu(2)O nanocrystallites in the present case are well organized, maintaining a definite geometric shape and a global crystal symmetry. Due to the presence of intercrystallite space, hollowing and chemical conversion can also be carried out in order to create central space and change the chemical phase of nanostructured polyhedrons. It has been revealed that Ostwald ripening plays a key role in the solid evacuation process. Using this synthetic strategy, we have successfully prepared single-crystal-like Cu(2)O nanocubes and polycrystalline Cu nanocubes with hollow interiors. For the first time, we demonstrate that nanostructured polyhedrons of functional materials with desired interiors can be synthesized in solution via a combination of oriented attachment and Ostwald ripening processes.     

Hydrothermal Syntheses of CuO,CuO/Cu2O,Cu2O,Cu2O/Cu and Cu Microcrystals Using Ionic Liquids

In this paper, CuO, CuO/Cu₂O, Cu₂O, Cu₂O/Cu and Cu microcrystals were synthesized via a hydrothermal method by mixing Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and NaOH together in the presence of an ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate([BMIM]BF₄) or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride([BMIM]Cl). The structures and the morphologies of the obtained products were characterized by means of X-ray diffractometer(XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy(FESEM/EDS), transmission electron microscopy/selected area electron diffraction(TEM/SAED) and Raman spectroscopy. The result of XRD indicates that Cu₂O and Cu microcrystals are cubic phase and the Raman spectra confirm the presence of carbon. The results of FESEM and TEM images show Cu₂O microcrystals as rule cubes of 2 μm in length and Cu particles of 5 μm in diameter. According to the difference between crystal structures, bi-component and single component products were synthesized by adjusting the reaction conditions. A possible formation mechanism of Cu₂O and Cu was proposed in[BMIM]BF₄.     

Formation of uniform CuO nanorods by spontaneous aggregation: Selective synthesis of CuO, Cu2O, and Cu nanoparticles by a solid-liquid phase arc discharge process

Uniform and monodisperse CuO nanorods have been synthesized by directional aggregation and crystallization of tiny CuO nanoparticles generated from a solid-liquid arc discharge process under ambient conditions in the absence of any surfactants. Uniform CuO nanorods with sharp ends are formed from tiny nanoparticles via a process that involves the rapid oxidation of Cu nanoclusters, the spontaneous aggregation of CuO nanoparticles, and the Ostawald ripening process. The spontaneous aggregation and oriented attachment of tiny CuO nanoparticles contributed obviously to the formation of these kinds of nanostructures. By choice of suitable reducing agent to prevent the oxidation of Cu nanoclusters, Cu and Cu2O nanoparticles can be selectively synthesized.     

Formation of SnO2 hollow nanospheres inside mesoporous silica nanoreactors

We report an interesting approach for efficient synthesis of SnO(2) hollow spheres inside mesoporous silica "nanoreactors". The as-prepared products are shown to have a uniform size distribution and good structural stability. When evaluated for their lithium storage properties, these SnO(2) hollow spheres manifest improved capacity retention.     

Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of transparent nanocrystalline Cu2O films and their conversion to CuO films

Transparent nanocrystalline Cu2O films (Eg = 2.6 eV) were electrodeposited from a dimethyl sulfoxide medium; these films exhibit interesting optical and photoelectrochemical properties, and can be converted to transparent CuO films.     

A controllable synthetic route to Cu,Cu2O,and CuO nanotubes and nanorods

Reducing Cu(OH)4(2-) with hydrazine hydrate and glucose in the presence of a structure-directing surfactant at room temperature gave Cu and Cu2O nanotubes/nanorods, respectively, whereas facile hydrothermal treatment of Cu(OH)4(2-) precursor resulted in CuO nanotubes/nanorods.     

From 2-D CuO nanosheets to 3-D hollow nanospheres: interface-assisted synthesis, surface photovoltage properties and photocatalytic activity

CuO hierarchical hollow nanostructures, assembled by nanosheets, were successfully prepared in n-octanol/aqueous liquid system through a microwave approach. Controlled experiments revealed that both bubble and interface play key roles in determining the self-assembly process of CuO hierarchical hollow nanostructures, and the morphology/size of building blocks and final products could be readily tuned by adjusting reaction parameters. Furthermore, a self-assembly mechanism of aggregation-then-growth process through bubble template was proposed for the formation of the hollow hierarchical architectures. Photocatalytic performance evidenced that the obtained CuO hierarchical hollow nanostructures possessed superior photocatalytic efficiency on RhB than that of non-hollow nanostructures, which could be easily demonstrated by SPS response about the separation and recombination situation of photogenerated charges.     

Controlled modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with CuO,Cu2O and Cu nanoparticles

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have been successfully modified with CuO, Cu₂O and Cu nanoparticles via a simple method, and the calcination temperature, the amount of NH₃·H₂O and soaking time play critical roles in controlling the final products. The modified MWNTs have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectrum, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopies. Optical absorption of the obtained products has also been investigated, and the quantum confinement effect was illustrated in the absorption spectra.     

Facile synthesis of Fe3O4@C hollow nanospheres and their application in polluted water treatment

Nanostructured carbon-based materials, such as carbon nanotube arrays have shown respectable removal ability for heavy metal ions and organic dyes in aqueous solution. Although the carbon-based materials exhibited excellent removal ability, the separation of them from the aqueous solution is difficult and time-consuming. Here we demonstrated a novel and facile route for the large-scale fabrication of Fe₃O₄@C hollow nanospheres, with using ferrocene as a single reagent and SiO₂ as a template. The as-prepared Fe₃O₄@C hollow nanospheres exhibited adsorption ability for heavy metal ions and organic dyes from aqueous solution, and can be easily separated by an external magnet. When the as-prepared Fe₃O₄@C hollow nanospheres were mixed with the aqueous solution of Hg²⁺ within 15 min, the removal efficiency was 90.3%. The as-prepared Fe₃O₄@C hollow nanospheres were also exhibited a high adsorption capacity (100%) as the adsorbent for methylene blue (MB). In addition, the as-prepared Fe₃O₄@C hollow nanospheres can be used as the recyclable sorbent for water treatment via a simple magnetic separation.     

Cu2O/CuO Electrocatalyst for Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol

Herein, we report the controlled and direct fabrication of Cu₂O/CuO thin film on the conductive nickel foam using electrodeposition route for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to methanol. The electrocatalytic reduction was performed in CO₂ saturated aqueous solution consisting of KHCO₃, pyridine and HCl at room temperature. CO₂ reduction was carried out at a constant potential of −1.3 V for 120 min to study the electrochemical performance of the prepared electrocatalysts. Cu₂O/CuO shows better electrocatalytic activity with highest current density of 46 mA/cm². The prepared catalyst can be an efficient and selective electrode for the production of methanol.     

酵母模板合成CuO空心微球及其催化性能研究

以酵母作为生物模板合成了氧化铜空心微球。X-射线粉末衍射、电子扫描电镜、氮气吸附-脱附、紫外-可见光漫反射光谱对产品的物化结构和性能进行了表征。电子扫描电镜分析表明氧化铜产物具有空心结构,粒径为2.2-2.9μm。X射线粉末衍射表明CuO空心微球具有很好的单斜晶型结构。氮气吸附-脱附表明CuO空心微球的比表面积是8.15 m2/g,壳体表面具有多孔性,中孔尺寸分布在2.0-35.4 nm。紫外-可见光漫反射光谱证实产物的能隙是1.38 ev。傅里叶红外、热重-差热以及X射线能谱分析监控了合成过程中组分及化学键的变化,据此提出了空心氧化铜的合成机理。进一步利用差热分析,研究了空心氧化铜催化热分解高氯酸铵的反应,证实了该空心氧化铜产品具有很高的催化活性。     

锂 - 氧化铜电池及其反应机理

本文研究了Li/CuO电池和Li/CuO电池的一般放电行为,着重探讨了它们的反应机理。X射线衍射分析、ESR分析、XPS分析和循环伏安试验等结果表明,电池反应的实质是锂在正极内进行电化学嵌入反应,并在一定嵌入度后因Cu—O键断裂而析出金属铜。其化学反应式可表达为: xLi+CuO(Cu_2O)→Li_xCuO(Li_xCu_2O)(a) x_1Li+Li_xCuO(Li_xCu_2O)→ Li_(x+x_1)Cu_(1-y)O(Li_(x+x_1)CU_(2-y)O)+yCu (b) 用电化学暂态方法测得嵌入锂离子在正极内部的化学扩散系数约为2×10~(-12)cm~2·s~(-1)(室温),该值与在Li_xWO_3和Li_xTiO_2中的相近,与实际电池的放电速率是一致的。     

Conversion of Cu2O nanocrystals into hollow Cu2-xSe nanocages with the preservation of morphologies

With the use of PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) as capping reagent, cubic, octahedral and spherical Cu2O nanocrystals were obtained in aqueous media when different reducing agents were applied. After adding selenium sources at room temperature, these nanocrystals could be converted (based on the Kirkendall effect) into hollow Cu2-xSe nanocages that keep their corresponding orignial morphologies.     

Derivatives (Cu/CuO,Cu/Cu2O,and CuS) of Cu superstructures reduced by biomass reductants

Metallic Cu is considered as the promising functional material owing to its high conductivity and harmlessness. Here, metallic Cu which presents a unique interconnected and continuous structure (Cu superstructure) is prepared using Magnolia grandiflora leaves as the biomass reductant, a green process which avoided the release of harmful gases and massive energy consumption. What's more, Cu/CuO, Cu/Cu₂O, and CuS nanosheets with different sizes were fabricated using Cu superstructure as the substrate via facile methods, and the morphology is regulated by controlling the relevant factors. The electrochemical sensors based on the three derivations were fabricated to study the sensing performance of glucose. The unique structure of nanosheets encapsulating Cu superstructure guarantees the excellent conductivity of Cu/CuO and Cu/Cu₂O composites. Moreover, the electrochemical stability is improved owing to the nanosheet protective layer. Although no metallic Cu was maintained in CuS, the integrated multilayer nanosheets endow CuS with short channels for fast interlayer electronic transmission and with structural stability.     

Enhanced Activity of CuCeO Catalysts for CO Oxidation: Influence of Cu2O and the Dispersion of Cu2O,CuO, and CeO2

CuCeO catalysts prepared by a hydrothermal method with subsequent calcination are tested for the catalytic oxidation of CO. This synthesis method leads to a homogeneous dispersion of Cu₂O, CuO, and CeO₂ in the catalysts. The composition of the catalysts is determined by the molar ratio of the metals, the hydrothermal process, and calcination temperature and influences the catalytic performance. The catalyst containing Cu₂O exhibits high catalytic activity with almost 100 % CO conversion at 105 °C and shows excellent stability with the conversion ratio not decreasing after four months of storage.     

Fabrication of hollow colloidal crystal cylinders and their inverted polymeric replicas

We fabricated colloidal crystals on a fiber by a dip-coating method. The self-assembly of monodisperse colloidal particles was affected by the curvature of the fiber (the reciprocal of the fiber radius). As the fiber became smaller in diameter, fewer layers of the colloidal spheres were coated for a given lift-up speed. The hollow colloidal crystal cylinders were used as a template for creating macroporous structure having three-dimensionally interconnected air cavities. Specifically, the polymer precursor was infiltrated into the colloidal crystal template and the macroporous polymer structures were obtained after the selective etching of colloidal particles.     

Formation of tricuprotetraborate 3CuO · 2B2O3 · 6H2O in aqueous solutions

The reaction of copper sulfate, boric acid, and sodium hydroxide in an aqueous solution was studied in relation to the molar ratio and concentration of components, solution pH, temperature, and reaction duration. The conditions under which tricuprotetraborate hexahydrate 3CuO · 2B₂O₃ · 6H₂O is formed were determined.     

CuO/Cu2O nanowire array photoelectrochemical biosensor for ultrasensitive detection of tyrosinase

Photoelectrochemical(PEC) biosensors have shown great promise in bioanalysis and diagnostic applications in recent years. In this work, the CuO/Cu_2O nanowire array(CuO/Cu_2O Nanowire) supported on copper foam was prepared as a photocathode for detection of tyrosinase though quinone-chitosan conjugation chemistry method. The in-situ generated quinones that were the catalytic product of tyrosinase acted as electron acceptors, which were captured by the chitosan deposited on the surface of the electrode. Direct immobilization of electron acceptor on the electrode surface improved the photocurrent conversion efficiency and thus sensitivity. The as-prepared biosensor can realize a rapid response in a wide linear range of 0.05 U/mL to 10 U/mL with the detection limit as low as 0.016 U/mL of tyrosinase. The current work provides a new perspective to design and develop highly sensitive and selective PEC biosensor.