Preparation and characterization of CuI nanorods using Cu(dmg)2 as precursor via water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsions

CuI nanorods have been firstly prepared by water-in-oil microemulsions using Cu(dmg)2 as precursor at low temperature as low as 70 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements show that the CuI nanorods are pure γ-phase crystals with diameters ranging from 50 to 80 nm and lengths up to 500 nm. UV–vis spectrum reveals that the nanorods exhibit a blue shift and possess of wider band gap energy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) reveals the nanorods own larger grain boundary resistance. Results of comparative experiments indicate that the rod-like structure of Cu(dmg)2 crystals leads the CuI crystals growing in one direction especially and the reverse microemulsion system plays a crucial role in making products symmetrical and uniform.