Nanocube-aggregated cauliflower-like copper hierarchical architectures: synthesis, growth mechanism and electrocatalytic activity

Novel nanocube-aggregated cauliflower-like copper hierarchical 3D nanostructures were successfully synthesized by a facile electroless deposition method. The formation and evolution can be attributed to the synergic effect of aggregation and ripening mechanisms. Moreover, such nanostructures exhibit electrocatalytic activity in the electoreduction of oxygen.