Different morphologies of Cu 2 O have been synthesized via solution grown reduction route method using reducing agents as anhydrous dextrose and ascorbic acid and surfactants as Poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The hollow and porous morphology of polyhedrons and irregular spherical growth of nanoparticles have been analyzed employing transmission electron microscope. The crystallinity, structure, and phase purity of products were analyzed using X-ray diffraction and Electron Diffraction Spectroscopy techniques. None of the impurity signals were detected due to the presence of impurity ions in the present investigations. The absorption and photocatalytic behavior of Cu 2 O nanotsructures were investigated on the basis of total surface area available for catalytic activity using absorption spectroscopy. From obtained results, it is confirmed that Cu 2 O polyhedrons possesses higher (99.56 %) photocatalytic activity and lower adsorption capacity (32.81 %) compare to Cu 2 O nanoparticles. The tentative mechanism herein involved is also discussed in detail.