Uniform copper hydroxyphosphate microstructures with tunable size: Synthesis by a facile surfactant-free hydrothermal route and photocatalytic properties

Uniform copper hydroxyphosphate quadrangle star-like microcrystals with tunable size and microprism bundles have been achieved through a simple hydrothermal method. Reactions are conducted in a water system using CuSO4, NH4H2PO4 and NaOH as reactants without adding any surfactants. Structures and morphologies of the products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and UV–vis spectrometry. It was found that the size and morphology of the products depended strongly on the concentration and the molar ratio of the starting reagents. The possible mechanism of the products was discussed and the size dependent photocatalytic property of the products was investigated.

► Uniform products have been achieved by a simple additive-free hydrothermal method.
► The size of the products depended strongly on the concentration of the reactants.
► The morphology depended strongly on t the molar ratio of the reactants.
► The products exhibit obvious size dependent optical property.