One-dimensional copper hydroxide nitrate nanorods and nanobelts for radiochemical applications

I report a facile wet-chemical method for the synthesis of one-dimensional copper hydroxide nitrate nanostructures in 2-propanol under solvothermal conditions. Single-crystalline nearly monodispersed copper hydroxide nitrate nanorods and nanobelts with selected breadths in the range of 100 nm to 1 μm have been successfully prepared by a solvothermal method through controlling the experimental parameters, including initial concentrations of reagents, reaction temperature, solvent and reaction time. The resultant nanorods and nanobelts were characterized using FESEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR and TGA techniques. Upon thermal calcination, the copper hydroxide nitrate nanorods and nanobelts self-assemble into one-dimensional arrays (rods, belts or tubes) of copper oxide nanoparticles. The as-prepared copper hydroxide nitrate nanorods and nanobelts were tested as ion exchangers for removal of long-lived radioactive anions such as (129)I(-) and (99)TcO(4)(-). The copper hydroxide nitrate nanorods or nanobelts were over two times more active in the removal of anion species than copper hydroxide nitrate nanoplatelets.