Preparation and characterization of Cu{sub 2}O-TiO{sub 2}: Efficient photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 2008 · Materials Research Bulletin

OSTI ID:21195035

Dahui, Liang; Manle, Liu; Dingzhong, Liu ^[1]

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1. Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642 (China)

A series of copper-deposited titania were prepared by photoreduction method under irradiation with a 125-W high-pressure mercury lamp. From XPS and AES results, the deposited-copper formed Ti-O-Cu bond on the surface of TiO{sub 2}, and the Cu species on the surface of copper-deposited TiO{sub 2} can be identified as Cu(I). The photocatalytic degradation activity of methylene blue for the Cu{sub 2}O-TiO{sub 2} series increased with increasing Cu{sub 2}O-deposited content, and then decreased. The highest photocatalytic degradation activity of methylene blue was obtained for 0.16% Cu{sub 2}O-TiO{sub 2}. When copper-deposited content reached to 0.32%, the photocatalytic activity was lower than that of pure TiO{sub 2}. It is shown that Cu{sub 2}O on the surface of TiO{sub 2} can trap electrons from the TiO{sub 2} conduction band, and the electrons trapped on the Cu{sub 2}O-TiO{sub 2} site are subsequently transferred to the surrounding adsorbed O{sub 2}, thereby avoiding electron-hole recombination, and enhancing the photocatalytic activity. Excess copper loading may screen the photocatalyst from the UV source, so the photocatalytic activity diminishes with increasing Cu{sub 2}O.

• OSTI ID: 21195035
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Journal Name: Materials Research Bulletin Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 43; ISSN MRBUAC; ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
AUGER ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
COPPER
COPPER OXIDES
IRRADIATION
METHYLENE BLUE
PHOTOCATALYSIS
SURFACES
SYNTHESIS
TITANIUM OXIDES
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY