title: Synthesis, self-assembly, disassembly, and reassembly of two types of Cu2O nanocrystals unifaceted with {001} or {110} planes.
abstract: In this work, we describe a solution-based synthesis of monodisperse Cu(2)O nanocrystals with controllable sizes in the nanoscale regime. Two types of nanocrystals, cubes and rhombic dodecahedra unifaceted with either {001} or {110} crystal planes, have been prepared at a 100% morphological yield. In particular, synthetic parameters and formation processes of the Cu(2)O nanocrystals have been investigated in detail, and a range of well-oriented supercrystals/superlattices built from the two types of nanobuilding blocks have been attained for the first time. It has been revealed that n-hexadecylamine used in the present work plays multiple roles: it serves as a chelating ligand to form [Cu(NH(2)C(16)H(33))(4)](2+) complex precursor, as a phase-transferring agent to transfer divalent Cu(2+) ions into the organic phase, as a reducing agent to generate monovalent Cu(+) (i.e., Cu(2)O), as a passivating adsorbate to control crystal morphology, and as a surface capping agent to generate self-assemblies of nanocrystals via van der Waals interaction. Apart from synthesis and self-assembly, disassembly and reassembly of Cu(2)O nanocrystals have also been investigated. The disassembly processes are accompanied with aggregative growths of nanocrystals, which can be attributed to a combined process of "oriented attachment" and Ostwald ripening, leading to permanent engagement and enlargement of nanocrystals. Finally, our self-assembled nanocrystals of Cu(2)O show a lower detection limit, lower operating temperature, and higher sensitivity in ethanol vapor detection, compared with other Cu(2)O-based alcohol sensors reported in the recent literature. A greater depletion layer of carrier and a relatively small contact potential may account for the observed sensing enhancement in the sensors made from the organized Cu(2)O nanocrystals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, KAUST-NUS GCR Program, and Minerals, Metals, and Materials Technology Center, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260.
authors.forename: Ke Xin
authors.initials: KX
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Xiao Ming
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Tai Hong
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hua Chun
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Zeng
mesh_terms: D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; C000520:cuprous oxide