Issue 17, 2013

Synthesis of hierarchical three-dimensional copper oxide nanostructures through a biomineralization-inspired approach

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) copper oxide (CuO) nanostructures were synthesized in a regenerated Bombyx mori silk fibroin aqueous solution at room temperature. In the synthesis process, silk fibroin served as the template and helped to form the hierarchical CuO nanostructures by self-assembly. Cu(OH)2 nanowires were formed initially, and then they transformed into almond-like CuO nanostructures with branched edges and a compact middle. The size of the final CuO nanostructures can be tuned by varying the concentration of silk fibroin in the reaction system. A possible mechanism has been proposed based on various characterization techniques, such as scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The synthesized CuO nanostructured material has been evaluated as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, and the result showed that they had a good electrochemical performance. The straightforward energy-saving method developed in this research may provide a useful preparation strategy for other functional inorganic materials through an environmentally friendly process.

Graphical abstract: Synthesis of hierarchical three-dimensional copper oxide nanostructures through a biomineralization-inspired approach

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
15 Apr 2013
Accepted
30 May 2013
First published
30 May 2013

Nanoscale, 2013,5, 7991-7997

Synthesis of hierarchical three-dimensional copper oxide nanostructures through a biomineralization-inspired approach

X. Fei, Z. Shao and X. Chen, Nanoscale, 2013, 5, 7991 DOI: 10.1039/C3NR01872E

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