Controllable green synthesis of Cu2O nanocrystals with shape evolution from octahedra to truncated octahedra

Abstract

A simple controlled synthesis of Cu₂O nanocrystals from octahedra to their different truncated forms was successfully achieved by using an ultrasonic method. The crystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), UV-vis spectroscopy (UV-vis) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as well as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The growth processes of cuprous oxide nanocrystals were analyzed and possible growth mechanisms were discussed. The optical properties of the obtained crystals were investigated.