Coating MWNTs with Cu2O of different morphology by a polyol process

Homogeneous cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles with size of 8–10 nm are deposited on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) by a polyol process using Cu(CH3COO)2·H2O as a precursor and diethylene glycol as both solvent and reducing agent. The composition of the resulting Cu2O/MWNTs composites is confirmed by XRD pattern, XPS spectrum and HRTEM images. With the change of the reaction conditions, it is found that Cu2O nanoparticles on the surface of MWNTs can be leafage-like or big spherical particle coated on the surface of MWNTs. HRTEM images indicate that all the leafage-like and big spherical particles are assembled by small Cu2O particles with size of about 2–5 nm. With the assistance of FTIR spectrum, a tentative mechanism is proposed for the formation of Cu2O nanoparticles with different morphologies on the surface of MWNTs.