Copper oxide nanostructures: Controlled synthesis and their catalytic performance

Oval-plate-like, sphere-like, bundle-like and plate-like copper oxide (CuO) nanostructures were prepared by hydrothermal method using Cu(CH3COO)2·H2O and NaOH as the reagents in the absence of any surfactants or templates. The morphology and structure of CuO nanostructures could be easily tailored by adjusting the amount of NaOH. The catalytic activity of the as-prepared CuO nanostructures was demonstrated by catalytic oxidation of methylene blue (MB) in presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The oval-plate-like CuO exhibited better catalytic activity and which was mainly attributed to the larger specific surface area.

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► Oval-plate-like, sphere-like, bundle-like and plate-like CuO were synthesized.
► The amount of NaOH plays a critical role in the synthesis of CuO nanostructures.
► CuO of higher surface area is more active than that of lower surface area.