(479e) Synthesis of Hollow Cu2 O Submicrospheres by SDS-PVP Necklace-Like Soft Clusters

The nano-/microsized Cu₂O particles were prepared from copper sulfate (CuSO₄) reduced by hydrazine (N₂H₄?H₂O) in an aqueou solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). XRD proof indicates that the products are pure cubic Cu₂O crystals, and grown preferentially along (111) lattice plane. SEM and TEM images show that the products are hollow Cu₂O submicrospheres with regular morphology and controlled size, and confirm that the hollow submicrospheres are composed of primary Cu₂O nanocrystals with diameters of ca. 10 nm. The N₂ adsorption isotherm indicates that the products are mesoporous shells. The SDS-PVP necklace-like clusters acted as dual soft-template and induced an unique template-induced secondary assembly. Hollow Cu₂O submicrospheres with different size and porous size were prepared by changing the composition of SDS-PVP necklace-like clusters and the concentration of copper sulfate or reducing agent. As a photocatalyst, the hollow Cu₂O submicrospheres showed excellent catalytic degradation ability for methyl orange.