Controlling the size of Cu2O nanocubes from 200 to 25 nm

Highly uniform Cu2O nanocubes can be prepared by using a simple solution approach. Copper(II) salts in water are reduced with ascorbic acid in air in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sodium hydroxide. The average edge length of the cubes can be controlled from 25 to 200 nm by changing the order of addition of reagents, and the PEG concentration.