Nanoplate-like CuO: hydrothermal synthesis,characterization, and electrochemical properties

Plate-like nanocrystalline CuO was synthesized via the hydrothermal process using copper nitrate trihydrate as inorganic precursor and 1,3-diaminoprapane which acts as a structure-directing template. The morphology, the structure, the crystallinity and the composition were studied through x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It was found that the hydrothermal reaction time had a marked effect on the morphology and particularly, on the particle size and the nature of the resulting products. The optical properties of the as-synthesized CuO nanoplatelets were studied by UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and the values of the band were found to be 1.93 eV. Electrochemical measurements have revealed a reversible redox behavior with a doping/de-doping process corresponding to reversible cation intercalation/de-intercalation. This process is easier for the smaller sized Li⁺ cation compared to the larger Na⁺ cation and to the largest K⁺ cation.