title: Synthesis of hierarchical three-dimensional copper oxide nanostructures through a biomineralization-inspired approach.
abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) copper oxide (CuO) nanostructures were synthesized in a regenerated Bombyx mori silk fibroin aqueous solution at room temperature. In the synthesis process, silk fibroin served as the template and helped to form the hierarchical CuO nanostructures by self-assembly. Cu(OH)2 nanowires were formed initially, and then they transformed into almond-like CuO nanostructures with branched edges and a compact middle. The size of the final CuO nanostructures can be tuned by varying the concentration of silk fibroin in the reaction system. A possible mechanism has been proposed based on various characterization techniques, such as scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The synthesized CuO nanostructured material has been evaluated as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, and the result showed that they had a good electrochemical performance. The straightforward energy-saving method developed in this research may provide a useful preparation strategy for other functional inorganic materials through an environmentally friendly process.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fei
authors.forename: Zhengzhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D012831:Bombyx / Q000378:metabolism; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D005349:Fibroins / Q000737:chemistry*; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000737:chemistry; D007477:Ions / Q000737:chemistry; D008094:Lithium / Q000737:chemistry; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D053770:Nanowires / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D006878:Hydroxides; D007477:Ions; C001606:cupric hydroxide; D003300:Copper; D005349:Fibroins; D008094:Lithium; C000520:cuprous oxide