Template-free solvothermal synthesis of copper oxide nanorods

A simple and efficient approach is reported to surfactant and templates-free synthesis of one-dimensional copper oxide nanostructured material by a solvothermal technique. A uniform and monodisperse copper oxide nanorods are revealed by Transmission Electron Microscopy with the diameter and length of 15 and 90 nm, respectively. X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the monoclinic crystal phase of the copper oxide nanorods with the crystallite/grain size of 15 nm. Downward Raman shift in the vibrational modes with broad peaks infer the quantum size effect of copper oxide nanorods. Formation of monoclinic copper oxide is also confirmed by Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy.