Syntheses and properties of copper hydroxide nanosheets and controlled deposition

In this study, we synthesized copper hydroxide nanosheet and investigated its electrochemical property and how to deposit it with a uniform amount. The precursor of the nanosheet was a layered copper hydroxide synthesized by the ion exchange of dodecylbenzene sulfonate (DBS) with acetate in Cu₂(OH)₃(CH₃COO)⋅H₂O. The nanosheet was prepared by delamination of the layered copper hydroxide by dispersion in 1-butanol. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of the nanosheets showed lateral dimensions of ca. 2 $\mu$m with the height of ca. 4.5 nm. Cyclic voltammogram of the nanosheet in basic solution showed two cathodic peaks and two anodic peaks similar to the copper oxide electrode. To deposit the nanosheet, a quartz glass slide was dipped in the dispersion of the nanosheet in 1-butanol and dried after washing. This procedure was repeated and the ultraviolet (UV) and visible (Vis) light absorption spectrum of the slide was measured. The absorbance of the slide increased in direct proportion to the number of times of the dip-and-dry procedure. Thus, we confirmed that a controlled amount of nanosheet was deposited on the quartz glass.