Flower-like cuprous oxide: hydrothermal synthesis, optical, and electrochemical properties

• Published in: Ionics Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 477 - 485
• Main Authors: Janene, F., Dhaouadi, H., Etteyeb, N., Touati, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-02-2015
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Electrochemistry; Energy Storage; Optical and Electronic Materials; Original Paper; Renewable and Green Energy; B. X-ray methods; E. Electrodes; C. Optical properties
• ISSN: 0947-7047; 1862-0760
• DOI: 10.1007/s11581-014-1195-z

Flower-like nanocrystalline (Cu
2
O) was prepared via a hydrothermal process using paraphenylenediamine which acts as a reducing and structure-directing agent. The morphology, the structure, the crystallinity, and the composition were studied through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was found that the hydrothermal reaction time had a little effect on the morphology of Cu
2
O nanocrystals, but influenced the nanocrystal dispersibility. The optical properties of the as-synthesized Cu
2
O nanomaterials were studied by UV-visible diffuse reflection spectra and room temperature photoluminescence. The values of the band gap for Cu
2
O nanorods and nanoflowers were found to be 2.43 and 2.34 eV, respectively. A cyclic voltammetric study of the Cu
2
O nanoflowers revealed a reversible redox behavior with charge-discharge cycling corresponding to the reversible lithium intercalation/deintercalation process in the crystal lattice. Thus, Cu
2
O is a promising candidate for many applications such as an electrode material for a lithium ion battery.