Preparation and characterization of the CuCr₂O₄ nanostructures via a new simple route

Pure copper chromite (CuCr₂O₄) nanostructures were prepared via a new simple route. Nanostructures were synthesized by heat treatment in air at 900 °C for 5 h, using powder, which was obtained by a solvent-free solid-state reaction (using ball milling) from 1:2 molar ratio of [Cu(en)₂(H₂O)₂]Cl₂ and [Cr(en)₃]Cl₃·3H₂O as novel precursors. The effect of ball milling duration and calcination temperature on the morphology and size of copper chromite was investigated. It was found that these parameters have significant influence on the morphology and size of the CuCr₂O₄. The as-synthesized CuCr₂O₄ nanostructures were characterized by means of several techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, transmission electron microscopy and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Furthermore, the photocatalytic degradation of anionic dyes such as eosin Y, erythrosine and phenol red as water pollutants was performed to study the catalytic properties of as-prepared nanostructures.