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Preparation of CuO mesocrystals via antlerite intermediate for photocatalytic applications
Author(s) -
Selvamani T.,
Manjula C. A.,
Anandan S.,
Asiri A. M.,
Ashokkumar Muthupandian
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
crystal research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.377
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1521-4079
pISSN - 0232-1300
DOI - 10.1002/crat.201400145
Subject(s) - ethylene glycol , photocatalysis , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , materials science , thermal decomposition , thermogravimetric analysis , chemical engineering , spectroscopy , scanning electron microscope , solvent , nuclear chemistry , chemistry , organic chemistry , catalysis , composite material , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
CuO mesocrystals were synthesized by thermal decomposition of antlerite (Cu 3 (OH) 4 SO 4 ) formed as an intermediate by the reaction between CuSO 4 .5H 2 O and urea under specific experimental conditions. Antlerite possessing spindles of sea urchin‐like morphology was obtained via controlled hydrolysis process using ethylene glycol as a co‐solvent. Antlerite and CuO mesocrystals were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform‐infrared spectrum (FT‐IR), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). A probable mechanism for formation of such morphologies has been proposed. The photocatalytic and optical properties of CuO mesocrystals were also evaluated.