Synthesis of Cu2O bi-pyramids by reduction of Cu(OH)2 in solution

In this paper we describe the synthesis of Cu2O bi-pyramids by reduction of Cu(OH)(2) using hydrazine as reducing agent. Copper chloride is used as a precursor to produce copper hydroxide in aqueous solution and the precipitation of the product is controlled by a slow addition of the reducing agent. All the reactions have been carried out at room temperature and atmospheric pressure with high repeatability. The purification process does not require expensive methods since a solid product is obtained from a reaction in liquid phase. Scanning and Transmission electron microscopy characterization showed interesting bi-pyramidal structures of several microns of edge and different sizes. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.