In situ synthesis of Cu2O nano/microstructures on a copper substrate assisted with mixed cationic/anionic surfactants

Different morphologies of Cu2O nano/microstructures have been successfully prepared on copper foil via a mild hydrothermal process in the presence of mixed cationic/anionic surfactants, by using copper foil to serve as both copper source and substrate. The reaction system of mixed cationic/anionic surfactants and the reaction temperature play key roles in the formation of different morphologies of Cu2O nano/microstructures. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra are used to characterize the as-obtained products. The PL results confirmed that the Cu2O structures exhibited good optical properties. A reasonable formation mechanism was proposed based on the experimental results.