Morphology and phase selective synthesis of CuxO (x = 1, 2) nanostructures and their catalytic degradation activity

CuxO (x = 1, 2) nanocrystals have been synthesized by the composite-hydroxide-mediated approach. The obtained nanocrystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV–vis spectrum. The morphology of the nanocrystals changed from sphere-shaped nanostructures to flower-shaped nanostructures, and finally to nanowires associated with phase transformation from CuO to Cu2O by increasing the temperature. The possible phase transformation mechanism was discussed. The catalytic degradation activity of the CuxO (x = 1, 2) nanocrystals to methyl orange was also investigated. The photocatalytic ability of the sphere-shaped nanostructures is much higher than that of the nanowires, owing to its absorption of wider range of light energy. This work provides a new facile synthesis route of CuxO (x = 1, 2) nanocrystals and suggests their possible application in organic pollutants removal.