The orderly nano array of truncated octahedra Cu 2 O nanocrystals with the enhancement of visible light photocatalytic activity

Abstract The orderly nano array is able to improve the light utilization efficiency and has been thought to be a promising way for advancing photocatalysis. The orderly nano array of truncated octahedra Cu 2 O nanocrystals have been successfully fabricated by the facile solution-based one-step reduction and self-assembly method. The results of XRD, SEM and TEM indicate that the Cu 2 O nano array is successfully assembled on the Si substrate. The photocatalytic activity of the Cu 2 O orderly nano array is investigated under visible light irradiation, and it is demonstrated to be significantly enhanced after the Cu 2 O is self-assembled orderly. Furthermore, the surface orderly structure of the nano array is considered as the main reason for the enhancement.