Repeatable synthesis of Cu2O nanorods by a simple and novel reduction route

Cu2O nanorods were synthesized by reducing bamboo leaf-shaped Cu(OH)2 with sodium hypophosphite (NaH2PO2) in an H2O/ethylene glycol (EG) mixing solution. The Cu(OH)2 was prepared by adding an alkaline solution to an aqueous solution containing CuSO4 and NaH2PO2 at room temperature. The optimum temperature range for the reduction of the Cu(OH)2 to Cu2O nanorods was 55-70 °C. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The result showed the prepared Cu2O nanorods were uniform and had diameters of 10-20 nm and lengths of 150-200 nm. The synthesis is simple, inexpensive, and highly repeatable.