Morphology control of ultrafine cuprous oxide powder and its growth mechanism

Four shapes of Cu2O particles as sphere,cube,truncated octahedron and octahedron were prepared via glucose reduction of Cu(Ⅱ)under alkaline condition.The products were characterized by XRD and SEM.The effects of the precursor(CuO,Cu(OH)2), reaction temperature and glucose concentration on morphology of Cu2O particles were investigated,and the mechanism of morphology control was discussed on the basic theory of crystal nucleation and growth.It is found that the Cu+supersaturation is remarkably influenced by the precursor kind,reaction temperature and glucose concentration,and the morphology of Cu2O particles can be controlled by the Cu+supersaturation.

Facile Synthesis of Mesoporous Cuprous Oxide Nanoparticles for Enhanced Visible-light-driven Photodegradation

The visible-light-active mesoporous cuprous oxide nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via a facile precipitation process with the presence of gelatin, which was demonstrated to play an important role in the formation of mesoporous structure and the grain size control. The nanoscale grain size and mesoporous structure lead to lager specific surface area with the addition of gelatin. Furthermore, the photodegradation of as-prepared catalysts in the presence of gelatin toward the negatively charged methyl orange（MO） was investigated. The cuprous oxide displayed an excellent visible light photocatalytic activity of MO, owing to its exposed active（111） face and large specific surface area. The adsorption of positively charged methyl blue（MB） revealed that the mesoporous cuprous oxide displayed better adsorption of anionic dye MB due to the residual gelatin on the surface of the grains, compared to that in the absence of gelatin.

Small-sized cuprous oxide species on silica boost acrolein formation via selective oxidation of propylene

Oxide-supported copper-containing materials have attracted considerable research attention as promising candidates for acrolein formation.Nevertheless,the elucidation of the structure-performance relationships for these systems remains a scientific challenge.In this work,copper oxide clusters deposited on a high-surface-area silica support were synthesized via a deposition-precipitation approach and exhibited remarkable catalytic reactivity(up to 25.5%conversion and 66.8%selectivity)in the propylene-selective oxidation of acrolein at 300℃.Aberration-corrected high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with X-ray absorption fine structure measurements of the catalyst before and after the reaction confirmed the transformation of the small-sized copper oxide(CuO)clusters into cuprous oxide(Cu2O)clusters.With the aid of in situ X-ray diffraction and in situ dual beam Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(DB-FTIR),the allyl intermediate(CH2=CHCH2*)was clearly observed,along with the as-formed Cu2O species.The intermediate can react with oxygen atoms from neighboring Cu2O species to form acrolein during the catalytic process,and the small-sized Cu2O clusters play a crucial role in the generation of acrolein via the selective oxidation of propylene.

In Situ Synthesis of Cuprous Oxide/Cellulose Nanofibers Gel and Antibacterial Properties

Cellulose nanofibers were synthesized by acetobacter xylinum(xylinum 1.1812).The cellulose nanofibers with 30-90 nm width constructed three-dimension network gel,which could be used as a wound dressing since it can provide moist environment to a wound.However,cellulose nanofibers have no antimicrobial activity to prevent wound infection.To achieve antimicrobial activity,the cellulose nanofibers can load cuprous oxide(Cu2O)particles on the surface.The cuprous oxide is a kind of safe antibacterial material.The copper ions can be reduced into cuprous oxides by reducing agents such as glucose,N2H4 and sodium hypophosphite.The cellulose nanofibers network gel was soaked in CuSO4 solution and filled with copper ions.The cuprous oxide nanoparticles were in situ synthesized by glucose and embedded in cellulose nanofibers network.The morphologies and structure of the composite gel were analyzed by FESEM,FTIR,WAXRD and inductively coupled plasma(ICP).The sizes of Cu2O embedded in cellulose nanofibers network are 200-500 nm wide.The peak at 605 cm−1 attributed to Cu(I)-O vibration of Cu2O shits to 611 cm−1 in the Cu2O/cellulose composite.The Cu2O/cellulose nanofibers composite reveals the obvious characteristic XRD pattern of Cu2O and the results of ICP show that the content of Cu2O in the composite is 13.1%.The antibacterial tests prove that the Cu2O/cellulose nanofibers composite has the high antibacterial activities which is higher against S.aureus than against E.coli.

Enhanced Property of Thin Cuprous Oxide Film Prepared through Green Synthetic Route

Thin cuprous oxide films have been prepared by chemical vapor deposition(pulsed spray evaporation-chemical vapor deposition)method without post-treatment.The synthesis of cuprous oxide was produced by applying a water strategy effect.Then,the effect of water on the morphology,topology,structure,optical properties and surface composition of the obtained films has been comprehensively investigated.The results reveal that a pure phase of Cu2O was obtained.The introduction of a small quantity of water in the liquid feedstock lowers the band gap energy from 2.16 eV to 2.04 eV.This finding was mainly related to the decrease of crystallite size due to the effect of water.The topology analyses,by using atomic force microscope,also revealed that surface roughness decreases with water addition,namely more uniform covered surface.Moreover,theoretical calculations based on density functional theory method were performed to understand the adsorption and reaction behaviors of water and ethanol on the Cu2O thin film surface.Formation mechanism of the Cu2O thin film was also suggested and discussed.

Effect of Additives on the Morphologies of Cuprous Oxides by Electrodeposition

Cuprous oxides with different morphologies were formed on F-doped tin oxide （FTO） covered glass substrates by potentiostatic deposition of cupric acetate. The effects of CTAB and Cl- on the crystal morphologies of cuprous oxide were studied. Different crystal morphologies of cuprous oxides were obtained by the change of the concentrations of CTAB and Cl. The flowerlike and cubic morphologies of Cu2O crystals were obtained when using higher concentration of CTAB and KCl, respectively. Photoelectrochemical properties of the Cu2O thin films prepared in the system were also studied.

Effect of Electrodeposition Methods of Cuprous Oxide on Antibacterial Properties of Concrete

Three types of electrodeposition,DC electrodeposition,low-frequency pulsed electrodeposition and high-frequency pulsed electrodeposition,were used to deposit cuprous oxide on the concrete surface to improve the antibacterial properties of concrete.The effects of pulse deposition frequency on the antibacterial property of concrete were studied using sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB)and Escherichia coli(E.coli)as model bacteria.The bacterial concentration and the antibacterial rate were measured to evaluate the antibacterial performance of concrete.The effects of different deposition methods on the elemental content of copper and the amount of copper ions exuded were studied.XRD and SEM were used to analyze the microstructure of the deposited layers.The experimental results show that the concrete treated by electrodeposition exhibited good antibacterial properties against SRB and E.coli.The antibacterial effect of cuprous oxide deposited on concrete by pulse method was better than that by direct current(DC)method.The antibacterial rate of concrete was positively correlated with the exudation rate of copper ion.As the pulse frequency increased,the deposits content on the surface was increased with an accompanying improvement in the antibacterial property.Besides,the pulsed current had an indiscernible effect on the composition of the sediments,which were all mainly composed of Cu_(2)O,but the morphology of the Cu_(2)O differed greatly.Cubic octahedral cuprous oxide had better antibacterial properties with the highest copper ion leaching rate compared with cubic and spherical cuprous oxide.

Influence of MgO contents on silica supported nano-size gold catalyst for carbon monoxide total oxidation

A series of nano-size gold catalysts were prepared by deposition-precipitation method using silica material promoted with different amounts of MgO as the carrier. The influences of MgO addition on the structure and property of the nano-size gold catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, O2 temperature-programmed desorption （O2-TPD）, and inductively coupled with plasma atomic emission spectroscopy （ICP-AES） techniques. The total oxidation of CO was chosen as the probe reaction. The results suggest that for the gold catalysts supported on the silica material after MgO modification, the size of the gold particles is pronouncedly reduced, the oxygen mobility is enhanced, and the catalytic activity for low-temperature CO oxidation is greatly improved. The gold catalyst modified by 6 wt% MgO （Mg/SiO2 weight ratio） shows higher CO oxidation activity, over which the temperature of CO total oxidation is lower about 150 K than that over the silica directly supported gold catalyst.

Synthesis of Cu_2O/reduced graphene oxide composites as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

A facile way was used to synthesize Cu2O/reduced graphene oxide （rGO） composites with octahedron-like morphology in aqueous solution without any surfactant. TEM images of the obtained Cu2O/rGOs reveal that the Cu2O particles and rGO distribute hierarchically and the primary Cu2O particles are encapsulated well in the graphene nanosheets. The electrochemical performance of Cu2O/rGOs is enhanced compared with bare Cu2O when they are employed as anode materials for lithium ion batteries. The Cu2O/rGO composites maintain a reversible capacity of 348.4 mA？h/g after 50 cycles at a current density of 100 mA/g. In addition, the composites retain 305.8 mA？h/g after 60 cycles at various current densities of 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 mA/g.

CuCl-catalyzed Oxidative N-Demethylation of Arylamines with tButyl Hydroperoxide

CuCl-catalyzed oxidative N-demethylation of arylamines proceeded in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The one-electron transfer route of oxidative N-demethylation competed favorably with the H-atom abstraction route.

Effect of nano-size nickel particles on wear resistance and high temperature oxidation resistance of ultrafine ceramic coating

In order to improve the wear resistance and high temperature oxidation resistance of titanium and titanium alloy, the high temperature ultra fine ceramic coating containing nano-size nickel particles was prepared by flow coat method on the surface of industrially pure titanium TB1-0. The effects of nano-size nickel particles on the wear resistance and high temperature oxidation resistance of coating substrate system were investigated through oxidation kinetics experiment and wear resistance test. The morphologies of the specimens were examined by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results show that the high temperature ultra fine ceramic coating has notable protection effect on industrially pure titanium TB1-0 from oxidation. The oxidation and wear resistance properties of the coating can be effectively improved by adding nano-size nickel particles. The oxidative mass gain of the specimen decreases from 11.33 mg·cm-2 to 5.25 mg·cm-2 and the friction coefficient decreases from 1.1 to 0.6 by adding nano-size nickel particles, and the coating containing 10% （mass fraction） nano-size nickel shows the optimum properties.

Research on the Impact of CeO2 -based Solid Solution Metal Oxide on Combustion Performance of Diesel Engine and Emissions

This paper mainly studies on the performance of high-speed diesel engines and emission reduction when the engine uses heavy oil mixed with nanometer-sized additives Ce0.9 Cu0.1 O2 and Ce0.9 Zr0.1 O2.During the test,Indiset 620 combustion analyzer made by AVL,was used to make a real-time survey on the cylinder pressure,the fuel ignition moment,and establish a relation between the change trend of temperature in cylinder and the crank angle.For the engine burning heavy oil and heavy oil mixed with additives,combustion analysis software Indicom and Concerto were used to analyze its combustion process and emission conditions.Experimental investigation shows that nano-sized complex oxide can improve the performance of diesel engine fueled with heavy oil,and reduce the emission of pollutants like NOx and CO,comparing it with the pure heavy oil.According to the consequences of this experiment,the additives improve the overall performance in the use of heavy oil.

Amino-Functionalized Reduced Graphene-Oxide-Copper (I) Oxide Composite: A Prospective Catalyst for Photo-Reduction of CO2

In the present article, an easy synthetic strategy of a novel composite photo-catalyst comprising of amino-functionalized reduced graphene oxide and Cu2O has been proposed. Role of this composite catalyst in photo reduction of CO2 has been analyzed and it is shown that both amino groups and reduced grapheme oxide, participate in enhancing quantum yield of the photo reduction process.

Influence of nano-SiC on microstructure and property of MAO coating formed on AZ91D magnesium alloy

Ceramic coating incorporated with nano-SiC was obtained on AZ91D magnesium alloy during MAO by adding nano-SiC into the silicate-aluminate-based composite electrolyte. The microstructure, thickness, phase analysis, element composition and hardness of the coatings were respectively investigated by scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, film thickness meter, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, energy disperse spectroscopy（EDS） and Vickers hardness tester. The wear resistance of Mg alloy and coatings were evaluated by friction and wear apparatus, while the corrosion resistance of Mg alloy and coatings were evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS）. The results show that after adding nano-SiC into the electrolyte, both the striking voltage and final voltage decrease, the size and number of the micropore on the surface of the coating decrease, the thickness and hardness of the coating increase, both the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the coating raise.

Microwave Synthesis of Cuprous Oxide Micro-/Nanocrystals with Different Morphologies and Photocatalytic Activities

Cuprous oxide micro-/nanocrystals were synthesized by using a simple liquid phase reduction process under microwave irradiation. Copper sulfate was used as the starting materials and macromolecule surfactants served as the templates. The morphologies phase and optical properties of them are characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning elec- tron microscopy （SEM） and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection absorptive spectra （UV-vis/DRS）, respectively. The crystals had four different shapes, namely spheres, strips, octahedrons, and dandelions. The photocatalytic behavior of the cuprous oxide particles were investigated by monitoring the degradation of rhodamine B. In spite of the differ- ent morphologies, all of the cuprous oxide micro-/nanocrystals exhibited photocatalytic activities under visible light irradiation in the following order： dandelions, strips, spheres, and octahedral crystals. The photocatalytic degradation rates of rhodamine B are 56.37%, 55.68%, 51.83% and 46.16%, respectively. The morphology affects significantly the photocatalytic performance.

Investigations of the interaction between cuprous oxide nanoparticles and Staphylococcus aureus

In this study, cuprous oxide nanoparticles of 30–50 nm in size were prepared in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). By taking Staphylococcus aureus (S.a), which always causes a variety of suppurative infections and toxinoses in humans, as a model bioparticle, the negative bioeffect of nano-Cu2O on S.a cells was evaluated, and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by imitating the MIC of antibiotics. Cellularity and bactericidal effect were measured by flow cytometry (FCM), dark field light scattering imaging and SEM photography. The results showed that nano-Cu2O particles may, by absorbing on the cell surface, impair the cell wall, damage the cell membrane, and finally increase permeability of the cell membrane, thus leading to a decrease in the viability of bacteria in the nano-Cu2O solution.

Improving the wear resistance of plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO)coatings applied on Mg and its alloys under the addition of nano-and micro-sized additives into the electrolytes:A review

As an efficient surface modification approach,the plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO)technique can boost the capability of wear protection in Mg and its alloys by applying a hard and thick ceramic coating.In this procedure,more efficient protection can be acquired via adding additives(in the form of particle,powder,sheet,etc.)into solutions and producing composite coatings.These additives result in more efficient protection against wear via getting stuck in the cracks and pores of coatings and rising the thickness,hardness,and diminishing the porosity size and content.The efficiency of each additive can be changed owing to its intrinsic properties like melting point,size,participation type(reactive,partly reactive,or inert)and potential of zeta.In this review,the effects of distinct additives in nano-and micro-scale size on wear behavior of PEO coatings on Mg and its alloys is going to be reviewed.

Novel fabrication of copper nanowire/cuprous oxidebased semiconductor-liquid junction solar cells

A Cu nanowire （NW）/cuprous oxide （Cu2O）-based semiconductor-liquid junction solar cell with a greatly enhanced efficiency and reduced cost was assembled. The Cu NWs function as a transparent electrode as well as part of the Cu NWs/ Cu2O coaxial structures, which remarkably benefit the charge separation. The best solar cell reached a conversion efficiency as high as 1.92% under a simulated AM1.5G illumination, which is 106 times higher than that of cells based on fluorine-doped tin oxide and Cu2O.

Stepwise synthesis of cuprous oxide nanoparticles with adjustable structures and growth model

By stepwise adding of reducer N2H4.H2O, cuprous oxide （Cu2O） nanoparticles （NPs） with adjustable structures were synthe- sized. The features of Cu2O NPs were characterized by XRD, TEM and UV-Vis absorption spectra. When the reducer was added into the reactant system at one time, the sizes of the Cu2O NPs are in the range of 120-140 nm. Most Cu2O NPs are sol- id spheres. As the reducer was divided into two equal parts and stepwisely added, almost all the NPs are hollow spheres with good size （150-170 nm） distribution and dispersity. But when the reducer was divided into three or four equal parts and stepwisely added, the NPs are hollow spheres, core-shell structures or solid spheres, and the sizes distribution of the products is deteriorated. The effect of sodium hydrate （NaOH） was also probed. Addition of NaOH speeded up the nucleation and growth processes of Cu2O NPs. With the alkalinity increase, the shells of the hollow spheres become compact and the thicknesses of the shells increase, but the size distribution of the NPs is deteriorated. The absorption spectra of the CuzO NPs are tunable. With the shell thicknesses increase, the absorption peaks have red shifts. An inside-outside growth model of Cu2O NPs was proposed to explain the results. The Cu2O single crystalline grains grow not only in the reactant solution, but also inside of the hollow nanospheres. The new Cu2O nanocrystallines can not only aggregate onto the shells of the nano hollow spheres, but also inside and outside of the hollow spheres, which leads to increasing the shell thicknesses of the hollow spheres, forming core-shell structures or small solid spheres of Cu2O NPs, respectively.

Modulating conductivity type of cuprous oxide（Cu2O） films on copper foil in aqueous solution by comproportionation

Cuprous oxide(Cu2O)is an attractive material for photoelectrochemical(PEC)hydrogen production or photovoltaic application,because of its appropriate band gap,low material cost and non-toxic.In this paper,Cu2O films were obtained by comproportionation in acid cupric sulfate solutions with varying concentrations of potassium nitrate.Photoelectrochemical and electrochemical experiments,such as zero-bias photocurrent responses,voltammograms,and Mott-Schottky measurements,show that the Cu2O films grown in low(≤0.75 mol dm^–3)and high(≥1.00 mol dm^–3)nitrate ion concentrations presented n-type and p-type conductivity,respectively.Open circuit potential and polarization behavior were monitored to investigate the mechanism of modulating conductivity type.Nitrate ions consume protons in the plating solution during comproportionation with different concentrations of nitrate ions creating different pH at the Cu2O/solution interface.This gradient leads to the transformation of Cu2Ofilms conductivity changing from n-type to p-type with increasing the concentration of nitrate ions in the plating solution.This method could be used to fabricate homojunction electrode on metal substrate for PEC hydrogen production or photoelectric application.