Synthesis of CuAl2O4 Nanoparticle and Its Conversion to CuO Nanorods

Abstract

The molten salt approach was used to convert CuAl₂O₄ nanoparticles to CuO nanorods in this study. Molten hydroxide (NaOH) synthesis was chosen over molten salts (NaCl/KCl) for removing aluminium oxide from copper aluminate at low temperatures. The molten salt process is environmentally beneficial. Polymeric precursors were used to make nanosized copper aluminates. Alginic acid polymer is used to gel aqueous solutions of copper acetate and aluminium nitrate, yielding precursor after further heating. The precursor provides 14nm nanosized copper aluminates after being heated at 900C for 5 hours. XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM were used to characterize the nanosized copper aluminate powder. Solid state mixing and solution technique were used to investigate molten hydroxide treatment of spinel CuAl₂O₄. The products of the reaction were identified using XRD. FTIR and SEM are also used to analyze the sample. Using UV-DRS absorbance spectrum analysis, the optical characteristics of CuAl₂O₄ and CuO nanorods were examined. Using the Tauc plot method, the band gaps of CuAl₂O₄ and CuO were calculated to be 4.3 and 3.93eV.