Synthesis and characterization of tetrapod-like Cu-ZnO nanowhiskers prepared by photo-reduction technique.

Tetrapod-like Cu-ZnO nanowhiskers were synthesized by a photo-reduction technique in an aqueous solution containing Cu2+ ions. The XRD and TEM analyses revealed that the as-prepared ZnO nanowhiskers were covered by Cu coating or surrounded by Cu nanoparticles. Pure Cu nanoparticles were also produced in the solution by increasing the duration of xenon irradiation. These nanoparticles were amorphous and could be converted to crystalline structure by further electron beam irradiation. The photoluminescence measurement showed that the visible emission from the Cu-coated ZnO nanowhiskers had a blue shift when compared with that of the pure ZnO.