ZnO and CuO nanoparticles prepared via the co-precipitation method: the evaluation of morphology and formation mechanism

Abstract

\n The morphology of nanomaterials is an important factor to determine their properties. In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) and cupric oxide (CuO) nanoparticles were synthesized via the co-precipitation method with the same protocols. Zinc nitrate and copper sulfate were selected as ZnO and CuO precursors, respectively. Then, the phase structure and morphology of both prepared nanoparticles were investigated and showed that ZnO and CuO were prepared without any impurities and with different morphologies. The obtained ZnO and CuO nanoparticles illustrated sphere-like and hierarchical flower-like structures, respectively, due to their various phase structure and electrostatic interactions.