Template-Free Synthesis of Well-Defined Truncated Edge Polyhedral Cu2O Architectures

In this paper, shape-controlled synthesis of well-defined truncated edge polyhedral Cu2O architectures, including truncated edge cubic and truncated edge octahedral Cu2O crystals with three pairs of {100} facets, four pairs of {111} facets, and six pairs of {110} facets, and {100} etched truncated edge cubic Cu2O crystals, were achieved via a facile template-free complex-precursor aqueous solution route. The growth process and mechanism of Cu2O crystals are discussed in detail. The appearance of various morphologies can be attributed to the selective oxidative etching and preferential growth on different facets of Cu2O crystals.