Temperature-controlled self-assembled synthesis of CuO, Cu2O and Cu nanoparticles through a single-precursor route

In this paper, we report on the synthesis of CuO, Cu2O and Cu nanoparticles through a single-precursor route by controlling the growth temperature. CuO and Cu2O nanoparticles have nanoporous structural configurations composed of a large number of primary particles. According to the difference between the crystal planes, we proposed the possible growth mechanisms of CuO, Cu2O and Cu nanoparticles. Selective adsorption of oleylamine on various crystal planes may play an important role in the growth process. The understanding of this self-assembling process will help us to develop reliable and reproducible methods to synthesis other three dimensional nanostructured architectures and increase the knowledge of self-assembly.