Abstract
Shape-dependent catalysis and sensing behaviours are primarily focused on nanocrystals enclosed by low-index facets, especially the three basic facets ({100}, {111}, and {110}). Several novel strategies have recently exploded by tailoring the original nanocrystals to greatly improve the catalysis and sensing performances. In this Review, we firstly introduce the synthesis of a variety of Cu(2)O nanocrystals, including the three basic Cu(2)O nanocrystals (cubes, octahedra and rhombic dodecahedra, enclosed by the {100}, {111}, and {110} facets, respectively), and Cu(2)O nanocrystals enclosed by high-index planes. We then discuss in detail the three main facet-controlled synthetic strategies (deposition, etching and templating) to fabricate Cu(2)O-based nanocrystals with heterogeneous, etched, or hollow structures, including a number of important concepts involved in those facet-controlled routes, such as the selective adsorption of capping agents for protecting special facets, and the impacts of surface energy and active sites on reaction activity trends. Finally, we highlight the facet-dependent properties of the Cu(2)O and Cu(2)O-based nanocrystals for applications in photocatalysis, gas catalysis, organocatalysis and sensing, as well as the relationship between their structures and properties. We also summarize and comment upon future facet-related directions.