Direct synthesis and characterization of spongy CuO with nanosheets from Cu3(btc)2 microporous metal-organic framework

Spongy CuO was successfully synthesized via direct pyrolysis of Cu3(btc)2 (btc = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate) microporous metal-organic framework (MOF) in a horizontal tube furnace in the air, in which the Cu3(btc)2 was used as the Cu source and complexing molecule precursor. The as-prepared products were characterized by a series of techniques including XRD, SEM, EDX, TEM, and SAED. Results from SEM showed that the as-prepared spongy CuO with average diameter altering from 10 to 20 μm consists of nanosheets with average edge length in the range of 80–200 nm and thickness of about 30 nm, which was also confirmed by TEM analysis. The XRD and SAED results showed that a purity phase of CuO was obtained after pyrolysis. It was also found that the reaction temperature played a key role in the formation of spongy CuO microstructures. The spongy material could be found potential application in various fields such as catalysis, absorption, and gas sensing.

Graphical AbstractSpongy CuO with nanosheets was synthesized via direct pyrolysis of Cu3(btc)2 (btc = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate) microporous metal-organic framework (MOF).Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights
► Spongy CuO was synthesized via direct pyrolysis of Cu3(btc)2 (btc = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate) microporous metal-organic framework (MOF) in the air.
► Spongy CuO with average diameter altering from 10 to 20 μm consists of nanosheets with average edge length in the range of 80–200 nm and thickness of about 30 nm.
► The effect of reaction temperature on the morphology of spongy CuO and formation mechanism were discussed.