Microscopic investigations of Cu2O nanostructures

The present communication describes the synthesis of 1D and 3D cuprous oxide nanostructures as a function of precursor concentration, surfactant, and reducing agents. All these synthetic parameters influence the morphological variation of Cu2O nanostructures during the growth process. The shape of the surfactant micelles in the aqueous solution plays a decisive role in controlling the morphological growth of final products. The Cu2O nanostructures were investigated employing various analytical techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, energy mapping, and UV/visible spectroscopy for their optical and morphological properties along with crystal structure phase purity. The present investigations aim to take an account of the effect of such parametric changes along with the structural changes of the nanoparticles that are discussed in detail. A tentative model for the mechanisms involved therein is also proposed for the better understanding of the morphological growth behavior. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.