Morphological evolution of hexapod Cu2O microcrystals by a rapid template-free autoclaving technique

Morphologically tuned Cu2O micro-crystals were synthesized by one-pot autoclaving method at 150 degrees C for a shorter reaction time in the presence of copper nitrate and di-methylformamide(DMF) without using any external templating agents. Powder X-ray diffraction(PXRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) showed the formation of phase pure Cu2O intheas-prepared samples. Morphological analysis indicated the formation of hexapod Cu2O with twenty four{111} facets at 150 degrees C/2 h. The hydrolysis product of DMF, i. e., di-methylamine(Me2NH) and formic acid(HCOOH) played a significant role as growth controller and reducing agent, respectively for the formation of Cu2O micro-crystals. A proposed formation mechanism was illustrated. (C) 2016 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved