Low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis of hierarchical flower-like CuB2O4 superstructures

We report for the first time the fabrication of hierarchical ordered superstructure CuB2O4 with flower-like morphology via a one-step, low temperature hydrothermal method. The tetragonal structure of CuB2O4 was determined by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Optical measurements attested of the quality of the fabricated CuB2O4 and high temperature X-ray diffraction confirmed its thermal stability up to 600 degrees C. The oriented attachment growth and the hierarchical self-assembly of micrometer-sized platelets producing hierarchical superstructures with flower-like morphology are designed by pH of the hydrothermal solution. The excellent band gap, high thermal stability and hierarchical structure of the CuB2O4 are promising for the photovoltaic and photocatalytic applications.