Synthesis of Cuprous Oxide Nano Cubes and Platelets Using Both Electrodes of Copper

Abstract

Cu₂O (Cuprous Oxide) is usually produced using expensive electrodes such as platinum, graphite, etc. In the present study, it is shown that Cu₂O nanostructures can be synthesized by electrolysis using copper as both anode and cathode. In the present study, the effect of electrolyte pH on the morphology of the Cu₂O nanostructures was studied. For this, the copper electrodes of 99.99% purity with 3x3x0.3 mm dimensions were dipped in the electrolytes of simple distilled and double distilled water and connected with the external power source. The synthesized products were analyzed using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), EDS (Energy Dispersive Spectroscope) and UV spectroscope. Results showed that Cu₂O nanostructures of 67 and 150 nm size were developed when the pH of electrolyte was 6.4 and 5.7 respectively, otherwise not. From the course of experiments conducted in this work it is noted that pH play vital role in the production of Cu₂O nanoparticles using simple electrolysis technique.