Highly dispersed CuO nanoparticles prepared by a novel quick-precipitation method

Abstract Highly dispersed copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles with an average size of 6 nm have been successfully prepared by a novel quick-precipitation method. The as-prepared CuO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy and BET nitrogen adsorption. The results show that the as-prepared CuO nanoparticles have high dispersion and narrow size distribution. The influence of reaction conditions on morphology of CuO nanocrystals was discussed. Spherical, ellipsoidal and needle-shaped CuO nanocrystals can be obtained simply by varying the reaction temperature and controlling the addition of NaOH.