Manipulative synthesis of multipod frameworks for self-organization and self-amplification of Cu2O microcrystals

Abstract

A full range of novel multipod frameworks of Cu2O microcrystals has been prepared in solution phase via manipulating synthetic parameters. More importantly, a new organization scheme for three-dimensional crystal aggregates has been elucidated in this work; faceted microcrystal subunits (6, 8, and 12 pieces) with simple cubic or face-centered cubic lattices have been organized with space instruction of the formed frameworks. This organization scheme can be divided into two discrete steps: (i) fractal growth of multipod framework from a nucleation center (i.e., space-definition), and (ii) attachment of crystal subunits according to the space locations assigned in (i). The microcrystal stacks also provide a base for creation of intracrystal porosity and crystal self-amplification. A remarkable correlation among the various crystal morphologies of Cu2O to their respective multipod frameworks has been revealed for the first time.