Control of CuO nanocrystal morphology from ultrathin “willow-leaf” to “flower-shaped” for increased hydrazine oxidation activity

• Willow-leaf, spiny, and flower-shaped CuO were prepared.
• CuO showed high catalytic activity for hydrazine oxidation reaction (HOR).
• Flower-shaped CuO had the highest HOR activity of the three forms.
• HOR activity of the CuO crystals correlated to the exposed crystalline facet.

Three CuO nanocrystal morphologies (willow-leaf, spiny, and flower-shaped) with different exposed crystal facets are prepared through a two-step liquid-phase procedure. The CuO crystals have high hydrazine oxidation reaction (HOR) activity and good stability. Flower-shaped CuO has the highest HOR activity and stability of the three forms, with a positive onset-potential of −0.14 V and a high oxidation peak current density of 5.23 mA cm−2. HOR activity of the CuO crystals correlates to the type of exposed crystalline facet.

Three CuO nanocrystal morphologies (willow-leaf, spiny, and flower-shaped) with different exposed crystal facets were prepared through a two-step liquid-phase procedure. The CuO crystals had high hydrazine oxidation reaction (HOR) activity and good stability. Furthermore, HOR activity of the CuO crystals correlated to the type of exposed crystalline facet.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide