Urchin-like CuO microspheres: Synthesis, characterization, and properties

Abstract: Urchin-like CuO microspheres have been successfully synthesized via a simple water–ethyleneglycol (water–EG) mixed-solvothermal route at 100°C for 12h, employing cupric chloride (CuCl2) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) as starting reactants in the absence of any surfactant or template. The as-obtained product was characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). It was found that the volume ratio of water and EG played an important role in the formation of urchin-like CuO microspheres. The UV–vis absorption and the photocatalytic degradation for organic dyes of the final product were also studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]