Synthesis of Cu₃N and Cu₃N–Cu₂O multicomponent mesocrystals: non-classical crystallization and nanoscale Kirkendall effect

Abstract

Mesocrystals are superstructures of crystallographically aligned nanoparticles and are a rapidly emerging class of crystalline materials displaying sophisticated morphologies and properties, beyond those originating from size and shape of nanoparticles...

Surveying the Synthesis, Optical Properties and Photocatalytic Activity of Cu3N Nanomaterials

“…They modify the decomposition routes of the copper nitride (II) reagent contrarily to other solvents or solid-state processes. According to Princ et al, the reasons for differences in the overall morphologies of nanoparticles using different capping agents may be related to the different mesocrystal subunits or the subsequent crystallographic orientations of subunits [63]. From the TEM images of Figure 2b-d, the coalescence of small spherical nanoparticles into nanocubes could also be another mechanism.…”

“…It not only serves as a nitrogen source but can also performs simultaneous functions as a solvent, surface stabilizer and reducing reagent. Therefore, special attention is being paid to the synthesis of Cu 3 N nanoparticles using solvents, such as 1-octadecene (ODE) and amine sources, including 1-octadecylamine (ODA), hexadecylamine (HAD), oleylamine (OAm) and benzylamine (BZA) [33,38,47,49,54,63,77]. Synthesis of Cu 3 N nanocubes with tunable sizes was reported by Wu et al through the decomposition of Cu(NO 3 ) 2 in ODE with different capping agents by a facile one-step process [47].…”

“…For example, Princ et al synthesized two types of Cu3N nanoparticles with different morphologies using two different capping agents dissolved In addition, different solvents and reaction parameters influence the size and morphology of the nanoparticles. For example, Princ et al synthesized two types of Cu 3 N nanoparticles with different morphologies using two different capping agents dissolved in ODE [63]. The report revealed that when OAm is used as a capping agent, spherical nanoparticles of 8 nm were produced (Figure 2d).…”

“…The report revealed that when OAm is used as a capping agent, spherical nanoparticles of 8 nm were produced (Figure 2d). In contrast, HAD produces cube-like nanoparticles of 50 nm (Figure 2e) [63]. Sithole et al, in two different reports, synthesized Cu 3 N nanoparticles and Cu 3 N nanocubes using amines as solvents [24,48].…”

“…One common disadvantage is the precipitation of secondary phases during Cu 3 N synthesis. For instance, it is reported that by prolonging the reaction time at a particular temperature, a partial phase transformation of Cu 3 N into Cu and Cu 2 O occurs [63]. Kieda et al applied a spray pyrolysis technique using a copper-amine complex solution.…”