Syntheses and gas-sensing properties of CuO nanostructures by using [Cu(pbbt)Cl2]2·CH3OH as a precursor

The rod-like and dandelion-like CuO nanomaterials have been prepared by the decomposition of a copper complex [Cu(pbbt)Cl2]2·CH3OH (pbbt = 1,1′-(1,3-propylene)-bis-1H-benzotriazole) in the presence of suitable surfactants and alkalies under hydrothermal conditions. The CuO nanorods are about 50 nm in diameter and up to 500–700 nm in length; the average diameter of the dandelion-like CuO microspheres is of 2 μm. A formation mechanism for the CuO nanomaterial was proposed. The gas-sensing properties of as-prepared CuO nanomaterial were studied. The sensitivity of the as-prepared CuO nanorods was better than that of dandelion-like CuO particles, and the CuO nanorods displayed special sensitivity to alcohol.