One-pot synthesis of hierarchical Cu{sub 2}O/Cu hollow microspheres with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

Journal Article · Sat Aug 15 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSSC.2015.04.031· OSTI ID:22486734

Hong, Tianjie; Tao, Feifei; Lin, Jiudong; Ding, Wei; Lan, Mingxuan

The hierarchical Cu{sub 2}O/Cu hollow microspheres have been fabricated by the one-pot solvothermal redox method, which is one-step approach without any surfactant and template. By using the HRTEM, XRD, XPS and UV–vis spectroscopy, the as-prepared product is composed of Cu{sub 2}O and Cu with energy band gap of 1.72 eV. Based on the time-dependent experiments, the content of Cu{sub 2}O and Cu compositions can be effectively controlled by adjusting the reaction time and a possible mechanism is proposed. In addition, using various dye molecules to stimulate pollutants, the hierarchical Cu{sub 2}O/Cu hollow microspheres reacted for 8 h exhibit excellent visible-light photocatalytic activities, which is much higher than those of the Cu{sub 2}O/Cu catalysts formed at the shorter reaction time, commercial Cu{sub 2}O powder and the mixture of alone Cu{sub 2}O and Cu. This enhanced photocatalytic performance makes these hierarchical Cu{sub 2}O/Cu hollow microspheres a kind of efficient visible-light photocatalyst in removing some organic compounds in wastewater. - Graphical abstract: The hierarchical Cu{sub 2}O/Cu hollow microspheres with adjustable components have been synthesized by one-step solvothermal redox approach. The special structures and composition lead to the excellent visible-light photocatalytic activity. - Highlights: • The hierarchical Cu{sub 2}O/Cu hollow microspheres are fabricated by one-step approach. • The content of Cu{sub 2}O and Cu can be controlled by adjusting the reaction time. • The material exhibits a better visible-light photocatalytic activity and stability. • Degradation kinetics of MO by Cu{sub 2}O/Cu fits the pseudo first-order model.

• OSTI ID: 22486734
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 228; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2015 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
CATALYSTS
COPPER
COPPER OXIDES
ENERGY GAP
MICROSPHERES
MIXTURES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHOTOCATALYSIS
POWDERS
SURFACTANTS
SYNTHESIS
TIME DEPENDENCE
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
VISIBLE RADIATION
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY