Controllable synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic properties of Cu{sub 2}O/Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16} composites

Journal Article · Sat Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2012.04.071· OSTI ID:22215754

Liu, Xueqin ^[1]; Li, Zhen ^[1]; Zhang, Qiang; Li, Fei ^[1]

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1. Faculty of Material Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074 (China)

Highlights: ► Facile sonochemical route. ► The content of Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16} in the Cu{sub 2}O/Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16} can be easily controlled. ► Structure and optical properties of Cu{sub 2}O/Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16} were discussed. ► Enhanced photocatalytic property of Cu{sub 2}O/Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16}. ► Cu{sub 2}O/Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16} core/shell structures were more stable than single Cu{sub 2}O particles. -- Abstract: The controlled synthesis of Cu{sub 2}O/Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16} microcomposites with hierarchical structures had been prepared via a convenient sonochemical route. Ultrasonic irradiation of a mixture of Cu{sub 2}O and (NH{sub 2}){sub 2}CS in an aqueous medium yielded Cu{sub 2}O/Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16} composites. The content of Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16} in the Cu{sub 2}O/Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16} can be easily controlled by adjusting the synthesis time. The Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16} layer not only protected and stabilized Cu{sub 2}O particles, but also prohibited the recombination of photogenerated electrons–holes pair between Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16} and Cu{sub 2}O. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra, ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy were used to characterize the products. Photocatalytic performance of the Cu{sub 2}O/Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16} hierarchical structures was evaluated by measuring the decomposition rate of methyl orange solution under natural light. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the preparation and photocatalytic activity of Cu{sub 2}O/Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16} microcomposite. Additionally, the Cu{sub 2}O/Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16} core/shell structures were more stable than single Cu{sub 2}O particles during photocatalytic process since the photocatalytic activity of the second reused architecture sample was much higher than that of pure Cu{sub 2}O. The Cu{sub 2}O/Cu{sub 31}S{sub 16} microcomposites may be a good promising candidate for wastewater treatment.

• OSTI ID: 22215754
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 47, Issue 9; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COPPER OXIDES
DECOMPOSITION
FOURIER TRANSFORM SPECTROMETERS
FOURIER TRANSFORMATION
INFRARED SPECTRA
IRRADIATION
METHYL ORANGE
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOCATALYSIS
PHOTOLUMINESCENCE
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SPECTROSCOPY
SYNTHESIS
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
WASTE WATER
X-RAY DIFFRACTION