Effect of temperature and time on morphology of CuO nanoparticle during synthesis

In the past decades, many methods have been developed to synthesize zero- dimensional nanoparticles, quasi–one–dimensional (1D) CuO nanostructures, such as metal organic deposition technique, microwave irradiation, sol-gel-like dip technique, reverse micelle-assisted route, chemical method, and simple template free solution route. Among those synthesis methods, hydrothermal and chemical reaction methods are of particular interest because they are safe and environmental-friendly synthesis. By use of nonionic surfactant polyethylene glycol (PEG), the clew CuO nanostructure with the diameter of about 4 μm was prepared at 150˚C for 11 hr. As the temperature increased to 160C for 11 hr, the gear wheel CuO nanostructure with the diameter of about 70 nm was made. Furthermore, two other temperatures (180 and 200) are utilized for 20 hr to produce nanowire. The product was characterized by powder X-Ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy SEM showed the various shapes of CuO nanostructures, including clew, gearwheel, and nanowire bundles.