Surface morphology, composition and wettability Cu2O/CuO composite thin films prepared by a facile hydrothermal method

Cu2O/CuO composite thin films were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method on Cu foils. Surface morphology, chemical composition, microstructure and wettability were investigated by scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer and water contact angle apparatus. The results indicate that the Sample 2 is composed of many regular Cu2O octahedrons, tiny nanovillus and a small amount of spheric particles. The other samples were composed mainly of flower-like microparticles and regular Cu2O octahedrons. The content of copper (II) increases firstly and then decreases and the maximal value of content of copper (II) has been observed in the Sample 2. The Sample 2 displayed superhydrophobic property owing to its hierarchical porous micro/nanostructured surface.