Facile synthesis and shape evolution of oleic acid decorated Cu2O microcrystals

A facile synthetic method of oleic acid decorated Cu 2 O microcrystals has been developed by thermal decomposition of copper formate-octylamine complexes in paraffin using oleic acid as dispersing agent. This new method showed many advantages, which include free-reducing agent, enhancing antioxidant properties of Cu 2 O and good dispersity in paraffin, etc . The phase structure and morphology were investigated by means of XRD, SEM and TEM. It is found that the reaction time and temperature play the important roles in the crystallite morphology. With the increase of the reaction time, the Cu 2 O rhombic dodecahedron is gradually transformed into the spherical particle by intraparticle ripening. The shape evolution of Cu 2 O microcrystals can be accelerated with the increase of temperature.