Sonochemical synthesis of CuO nanostructures with different morphology

This paper describes a highly efficient and rapid approach of synthesizing different CuO nanostructures in aqueous solutions using ultrasound irradiation of copper(II) acetate with urea/sodium hydroxide in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), as stabilizing polymer. Field emission scanning electron microscope images clearly indicate the formation of CuO quasi-spherical microarchitectures and long-straw like structure in the presence of urea and sodium hydroxide. Other characterization techniques such as TEM, XRD and XPS are also provided to support the formation of such structures. One of the reasons for the formation of such CuO nanostructures may be due to the formation of a polymer–metal complex with the stabilizing polymer (PVP).

► An efficient method of synthesizing CuO nanostructures using ultrasound irradiation.
► The growth of nanostructures depends on the generation rate of hydroxide ion.
► The formation of CuO nanostructures is due to a polymer–metal complex with PVP.