Flower-shaped CuO nanostructures: Structural, photocatalytic and XANES studies

Flower-shaped CuO nanostructures consist of triangular-shaped leaves, having sharpened tips with the wider bases, have been grown by simple aqueous solution process. Detailed structural observations exhibited the nanocrystalline nature with monoclinic structure for the as-synthesized nanostructures. The photocatalytic activity of the nanostructures was evaluated by examine the degradation of methylene blue. The photocatalytic property of the as-grown structures was probably due to the recycling of Cu1+ ion under light on the CuO interface and large surface area of the flower-like moieties. The XANES studies revealed that properties of as-synthesized products are closer to that of CuO, rather than those of Cu metal and Cu2O. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.