Morphology control of mesoporous Cu2O by reductants and its photocatalytic activity

Mesoporous Cu2O particles with different morphologies were synthesized via simple one-pot reactions. Effects of reducing agents, dispersant, template, and temperature on the structure of the prepared materials were investigated. Mesoporous flower-shaped Cu2O materials were obtained at 70 ℃ using glucose as a reductant. Different hollow microsphere shapes of Cu2O could be prepared at 40 ℃ using another type of reductant, ascorbic acid. The results indicated that the uniform morphology of synthesized Cu2O with mesopores presented a maximum specific surface area of 45.3 m2/g. Furthermore, the as-prepared Cu2O particles showed good photodegradation efficiencies of methyl orange in the range of 86.0-93.7%, depending on their morphologies.