Single‐Crystal Cu2 O Formation on Amorphous Carbon Electrode and Effect of Anions on the Crystal Habit of Cu2 O Particles

Abstract

Electrodeposition of ion resulted in the growth of single‐crystal particles on an amorphous carbon electrode in solution. single crystals grow at potentials higher than −0.55 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE) in (pH 7) as well as (pH 2.0) and HCl (pH 2.1) solutions. However, as well as Cu particles are formed simultaneously at potentials below −0.55 V vs. SCE. The oxygen in the may come from water via cuprous hydroxide intermediate. The effect of anions on the crystal habit of the particles was investigated by changing anions. Hexahedral single‐crystal particles were preferentially formed in solution, but in the presence of sulfate ion the particles grow in a polyhedral form. Y‐shape particles of were obtained in the presence of chloride ion, which may be due to the effect of stronger adsorption of on the surface of growing particles. Number density and average size of the particles grown on the electrode vs. the kind of anions and electrodeposition potential are discussed.