Novel hybrid nanocomposites of polyhedral Cu2O nanoparticles–CuO nanowires with enhanced photoactivity

Abstract

Novel hybrid nanocomposites of Cu₂O nanoparticles (NPs) partially embedded in CuO nanowires (NWs) were produced by simple thermal reduction of CuO NWs in a vacuum. It is found that most Cu₂O NPs adopt two regular shapes, one being cubic and the other being octahedral. The shape selection of the Cu₂O nanocrystals is governed by the orientation relationship between Cu₂O NPs and CuO NWs. The formation of such hierarchical hybrid nanostructures is induced by the topotactic reduction of CuO NWs. Compared with pure CuO NWs, the polyhedral Cu₂O NP–CuO NW hierarchical hybrid nanostructures exhibit enhanced ability to photodegrade methyl orange under visible light, which is attributed to the synergic effects of CuO NWs and Cu₂O NPs.