recorded for the synthesized composite materials using Rigaku smartlab
in the 2θ range of 20–80°. The surface morphology
of the materials was analyzed using FEI quanta FEG 200 SEM. XPS measurements
were done using an Omicron ECA probe spectrometer, with polychromatic
Mg Kα X-rays (hν = 1253.6 eV). ESR analyses
of the Cu@ZnO nanocomposites were analyzed for oxygen vacancies and
conduction band electrons using JEOL model JES FA200. MALDI-TOF analysis
was done using a Bruker ultraflextreme equipped with a pulsed IR laser,
with 337 nm wavelength; the mass spectra of the Cu@ZnO nanocomposite
materials were recorded in the positive reflection mode. A high resolution
TEM (HRTEM, JEOL model 3010) was used for the identification of cluster
formation and to measure the lattice distance. The band gap of the
composite materials was measured using Jasco 650 along with the spherical
accessory using the principles of DRS.