Synthesis of Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2nanostructures by simple aqueous precipitation: understanding the fundamental chemistry and growth mechanism

What is it about?

Lindgrenite (Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2) nanoflowers were synthesized by a simpler possible route by aqueous chemical precipitation technique at room temperature without using any surfactants, templet, expensive chemicals, complex instrumentation or tedious multistage synthesis process. Their morphology, structure, thermal properties, surface area, synthesis chemistry, structural, and growth mechanism involved in the synthesis process were analyzed. Using XRD, FE-SEM, HR-TEM and FT-IR spectra, structure and morphology were analyzed. Thermal stability, surface area and porosity of (Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2) nanoflowers were analyzed by TGA and BET. XRD analysis showed Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanoflowers has pure monoclinic structure. The morphological analysis showed the Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanoflowers has ~10 μm size, which is formed from self-assembly of thin nanosheets with a thickness of ~20 nm. TGA indicated that the Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanoflowers is a stable material up to 328 0C and the isotherm from BET analysis indicated that the Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanoflowers is a non-porous material. The BET surface area of the synthesized Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanoflower found to be 21.357 m2. g-1. Moreover, the effects of pH value and reaction time on the morphology of the Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanoflowers were studied and optimized. The results of the optimization study indicated that the reaction time and pH are two important parameters influence nucleation, growth, morphology, and synthesis mechanism. This flower-shaped Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 are promising precursor to prepare molybdenum-oxide materials which have various applications can be synthesized a very simple one-pot reaction system using commonly available chemicals without using the complex route.

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Why is it important?

Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanoflowers have been synthesized by a simple aqueous precipitation route at room temperature without using surfactants or templates from commonly available chemicals. Controlling the reaction time, pH on the simplest way through a one-pot reaction system spherical nanoflower could be synthesized. The XRD pattern and SEM, TEM images of synthesized nanopowder showed that it has monoclinic lindgrenite structure. Reasonably, from the TGA curve following conclusion can be inferred, i.e., (i) the Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanoflowers is a stable material up to 328 0C, and (ii) by thermal annealing (383 0C) the Cu3(OH)2(MoO4)2 can be converted to Cu3Mo2O9, which has excellent magnetic and photocatalytic properties. The BET surface area of the Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanoflower is 21.357 m2. g-1. The flower-like nano Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 resulted from the aggregation of nanosheets. Several 20 nm sheets through aggregation formed spherical shape nanoflower of ~10 μm. By our reported aqueous precipitation method high pure Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanoflowers having monoclinic lindgrenite structure can be easily synthesized with the simplest possible know how. The reported aqueous chemical precipitation method to synthesize nanostructured Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 can be a promising route because of its short reaction time, high purity, non-tedious process and use of non-hazardous chemicals, which, eliminating complex multistep synthesis system or complex instrumentation. The synthesis process also adds the scope for the synthesis of Cu3Mo2O9 nanomaterial.

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