Microwave-induced polyol-process synthesis of copper and copper oxide nanocrystals with controllable morphology

Different morphologies of copper and copper oxide nanocrystallites, including radially arrayed whiskers, cubic particles and sphere particles, have been successfully synthesized by a microwave-induced method under ambient conditions. In aqueous solution containing different ethylene glycol concentrations, copper acetate hydrate produces different reduction products. The as-prepared copper and copper oxide crystallites were characterized by various techniques, including X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, selected-area electron diffraction and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy. It was found that microwave irradiation plays a critical role in the formation of the products; temperature was also found to be important in the reaction. The irradiation time and copper acetate concentration also affect the morphology of the products. The possible formation mechanism is also discussed. ((C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)