Versatile synthesis of rectangular shaped nanobat-like CuO nanostructures by hydrothermal method; structural properties and growth mechanism

This paper describes a simple and versatile method for growing highly anisotropic rectangular shaped nanobat-like CuO nanostructures by simple, low temperature and cost effective hydrothermal method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy illustrated that these CuO nanostructures have diameter of ∼70 nm, thickness of ∼8 nm and length of ∼174 nm. Structural analysis reveals that the CuO nanostructures have a high crystal quality with monoclinic crystal structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies demonstrate that the sample is composed of CuO. The Raman study also indicates the single phase property and high crystallinity of as-grown CuO nanostructures. The plausible growth mechanism for the formation of nanobat-like CuO structure is proposed.