Shape-controlled synthesis of star-shaped Cu2-xSySe1-y materials with highly enhanced chemiluminescence

• Six-pointed star-shaped Cu2-xSySe1-y materials were synthesized by a one-pot template method.
• The morphology and size of Cu2-xSySe1-y materials can be effectively tuned by the reaction conditions.
• The growth mechanism of six-pointed star-shaped Cu2O templates was investigated.
• Six-pointed Star-shaped Cu2-xSySe1-y materials showed highly catalytic activity in a luminol–H2O2 system.

In this work, six-pointed star-shaped Cu2-xSySe1-y materials were synthesized in a facile one-pot template method at relatively low temperature (85 °C). The edges, corners, length and surfaces of the star-shaped Cu2-xSySe1-y alloyed materials can be effectively tuned by adjusting the reaction temperature, and the concentrations of NaOH and hydrazine hydrate. The growth and formation mechanisms of six-pointed star-shaped Cu2O templates were investigated in detail by analysing time-dependent SEM images, and a possible growth model was proposed to explain the formation mechanism of the star-shaped Cu2O templates. Moreover, the star-shaped Cu2-xSySe1-y materials exhibited highly catalytic activity, which enhanced the chemiluminescence (CL) in a luminol–H2O2 system by approximately 100-fold. This study may provide an avenue into a new field of application for innovative Cu2-xSySe1-y materials in catalysis and environmental monitoring.

In this work, six-pointed star-shaped Cu2-xSySe1-y materials were synthesized in a facile one-pot template method at relatively low temperature (85 °C). A possible growth model was proposed to explain the formation mechanism of the six-pointed star-shaped Cu2O templates. Moreover, the star-shaped Cu2-xSySe1-y materials exhibited highly catalytic activity, which enhanced the chemiluminescence (CL) in a luminol-H2O2 system by approximately 100-fold.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide