Growth and morphological evolution of hexapod-shaped cuprous oxide microcrystals at room temperature

Growth and morphological evolution of hexapod-shaped Cu2O microcrystals is carefully studied via a gamma-irradiation reduction route at room temperature and under ambient pressure. The products are examined by means of XRD patterns and FE-SEM images. The as-obtained hexapod-shaped Cu2O microcrystal is composed of six legs, whose adjacent legs are perpendicular to each other and each leg is composed of two perpendicular cross blades. A simple reaction system, excluding the influence of surfactant and thermal disturbance, would favor revelation of the inherent growth habit of Cu2O microcrystals under relatively mild experimental conditions. Furthermore, the effects of several factors on the final product and morphology are investigated.