Solution-phase Synthesis of Cu_2O Microcrystals with Different Morphologies

Cu2O microcrystals with different morphologies were synthesized by a simple solution-phase route using Cu(CH3COO)2·H2O as Cu2+source and L-ascorbic acid as reducing agent.The obtained Cu2O microcrystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM).The reaction conditions such as reaction temperature,reactant concentrations and surfactants,responsible for the variation of Cu2O morphologies and size,have been studied.The formation mechanisms of Cu2O microcrystals were proposed.The experimental results suggested that the cuprous oxide(Cu2O) microcrystals with different morphologies can be selectively synthesized by carefully adjusting the sort of surfactants.Cu2O microspheres with diameter of 1μm were synthesized in the presence of PVP,and Cu2O cubes with length of 700 nm were prepared using PEG as surfactants.