Derivatives (Cu/CuO, Cu/Cu2O, and CuS) of Cu superstructures reduced by biomass reductants

Abstract Metallic Cu is considered as the promising functional material owing to its high conductivity and harmlessness. Here, metallic Cu which presents a unique interconnected and continuous structure (Cu superstructure) is prepared using Magnolia grandiflora leaves as the biomass reductant, a green process which avoided the release of harmful gases and massive energy consumption. What's more, Cu/CuO, Cu/Cu2O, and CuS nanosheets with different sizes were fabricated using Cu superstructure as the substrate via facile methods, and the morphology is regulated by controlling the relevant factors. The electrochemical sensors based on the three derivations were fabricated to study the sensing performance of glucose. The unique structure of nanosheets encapsulating Cu superstructure guarantees the excellent conductivity of Cu/CuO and Cu/Cu2O composites. Moreover, the electrochemical stability is improved owing to the nanosheet protective layer. Although no metallic Cu was maintained in CuS, the integrated multilayer nanosheets endow CuS with short channels for fast interlayer electronic transmission and with structural stability.