Synthesis of CuO nanoflower and its application as a H2O2 sensor

CuO three-dimensional (3D) flower-like nanostructures were successfully synthesized by a simple method at 100°C with Cu(NO3)2·3H2O and NH3·H2O for 6 h in the absence of any additives. We found that NH3·H2O amount was critical for CuO morphology evolution. The phase analysis was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the result confirmed that the CuO nanoflowers were single-phase. The morphological investigations by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) revealed that the CuO nanoflowers were mono-dispersed in a large quantity and consisted of nanosheets. And then, CuO nanoflowers were successfully used to modify a gold electrode to detect H2O2 with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometric (AC). It was found that CuO nanoflowers may be of great potential for H2O2 electrochemical sensing.