Green hydrothermal synthesis and optical properties of cuprous bromide nanocrystals

Zincblende structure cuprous bromide (γ-CuBr) nanocrystals were synthesized via a green hydrothermal method, which was based on the reactions of CuSO4·5H2O, KBr and d-glucose in distilled water in an autoclave at 100 °C for 12–24 h. The structure, composition and optical properties of the resultant products were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis absorption and room temperature photoluminescence (RTPL) spectra. A possible reduction–precipitation mechanism was also proposed for the formation of CuBr in the present system.