Shape evolution and size-controllable synthesis of Cu2O octahedra and their morphology-dependent photocatalytic properties.

Octahedral Cu(2)O crystals with tunable edge length were synthesized by reducing copper hydroxide with hydrazine without using any surfactant. Systematic experiments were carried out to investigate the factors which impact on the morphology and size of the products. The molar ratios of the reagents (NH(3):Cu(2+) and OH(-):Cu(2+)) determined the morphology and size of the corresponding products via affecting the coordination between NH(3) and Cu(2+). It is demonstrated that the ratio of growth rate along 111 versus 100 was varied by adjusting the molar ratio of NH(3) to Cu(2+), thus Cu(2)O crystals with different morphologies such as spheres, cubelike, and octahedra were obtained. The edge lengths of octahedra can be easily tuned from 130 to 600 nm by adjusting the molar ratio of OH(-) to Cu(2+). It is an effective and facile method for the controlled synthesis of octahedral Cu(2)O. The obtained octahedral Cu(2)O particles show improved ability on adsorption and photodegradation of methyl orange compared with cubic Cu(2)O particles.