Kinetically controlled synthesis of Cu2O microcrystals with various morphologies by adjusting pH value

A hydrothermal process has been developed to prepare Cu2O particles by reducing the Cu(II)–citrate complex with NaH2PO2. A series of shape evolutions of Cu2O particles from the species such as cubic crystals to eight-pod particles have been synthesized via a kinetically controlled process by adjusting pH of the solution. The products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray power diffraction (XRD). Possible crystal growth processes have been proposed on the basis of the experimental results.