Morphology-selective synthesis and wettability properties of well-aligned Cu2-xSe nanostructures on a copper substrate

The morphology-selective synthesis of well-aligned Cu2-xSe nanostructures including nanosheets, nanoribbons, and heterostructures on copper substrate has been achieved by a simple hydrothermal route; the micropatterned assembly of Cu2-xSe nanostructures has been realized using a copper grid to direct the growth on prescribed arbitrary patterns with unprecedented control and selectivity. The control experimental conditions, such as hydrothermal temperature and time, and concentration of NaOH have been found to be important parameters for the growth process of the Cu2-xSe nanostructures. So-called "coordination assembly" has shown to be dominant in the formation of the Cu2-xSe nanostructures, consisting of an initial nucleation and subsequent vertical growth on the copper substrate. The wettability properties of the Cu2-xSe nanostructures have been investigated, and the water contact angle from these nanostructured materials has been measured to be up to 160 degrees, showing a superhydrophobicity. These results might provide a facile route for the preparation of novel micropatterned and high assemblies of nanostructures on other metal substrates (e. g. Al, Zn, Mg, etc.), for which a number of promising applications in microelectronic fields can be envisioned.