Shape Control of Cu/ZnO Core–Shell Nanocubes and Related Structures for Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance

Cu/ZnO nanomaterials exhibit useful optical properties and catalytic activity, but their shape-controlled colloidal synthesis remains underexplored. Here, a specific Cu/ZnO core–shell nanocube morphology (denoted as AB8 Cu/ZnO nanocube) was synthesized in a single step. It comprises a quasi-spherical Cu core with tetrahedral ZnO nanocrystals attached at the corners of a cube. These structures exhibit strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorbance near 600 nm. Additional novel Cu/ZnO heterostructure morphologies were produced by addition of lithium hydroxide. This study provides guidance for the design of nanoheterostructures and a route to noble-metal-free nanomaterials with LSPR at visible wavelengths for applications including photocatalysis and sensing.