Formation of CuO nanorods and their bundles by an electrochemical dissolution and deposition process

Copper oxide nanorods (NRs) and their bundles were deposited on glass substrates by an electrochemical dissolution and deposition process. Changes in the electrode separation, the deposition time and the voltage could be used to control the morphologies, the thickness and the ratio of bundles/NRs. The formation of the NRs and their bundles was explained by an aggregation mechanism. A transformation of the Cu phase in the as-deposited sample to a single CuO phase was effected by an annealing treatment at 500 °C. The increasing photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the annealed sample resulted from a grain size growth and an improvement in the crystallinity.

Research highlights▶ We present an electrochemical process for a formation of CuO nanostructures. ▶ The formation of the CuO nanorods and their bundles was explained by an aggregation mechanism. ▶ The morphologies, the thickness and the ratio of bundles/nanorods could be controlled. ▶ A single CuO phase was obtained by an annealing treatment at 500 °C.