Synthesis and optical properties of different CuO (ellipsoid, ribbon and sheet like) nanostructures

We report the Synthesis of different CuO (ellipsoid, ribbon and sheet like) nanostructures in a solution phase with high yield at low cost bysimple reduction of aqueous solution of copper nitrate with alkaline solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The morphology of the synthesized nanostructures is significantly influenced by the feedingconcentration of alkaline NaOH solution. Cu(OH)2 nanomaterials can be readily obtained by the reduction of Cu(NO3)2 solution with NaOH solution and these synthesized materials obtained atdifferent molar concentration of NaOH solution get transformed into different nanostructures ofCuO by subsequent heat treatment at 80 degrees C for half an hour. Nanoellipsoid, nanoribbon and nanosheet like structures were obtained after heating the copper nitrate solution reduced with 0.25 M, 0.50 M, 0.75 M and 1 M concentrated NaOH solution respectively. Optical absorption spectra and corresponding band gap calculation showed that these nanomaterials have higher band gap than their bulk materials.