Facile synthesis of Ag–Cu{sub 2}O composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Journal Article · Mon Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2014 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2014.08.011· OSTI ID:22420695

Yang, Jianbo ^[1]; Li, Zhen ^[1]; Zhao, Caixin; Wang, Yang; Liu, Xueqin ^[1]

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1. Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geoscience, Wuhan 430074 (China)

Highlights: • Ag–Cu{sub 2}O nanocomposites were synthesized via awet-chemical precipitation route. • The growth temperature does not exceed 50 °C in any step of the synthesis. • Enhanced photocurrent of Ag–Cu{sub 2}O composites, compared to pure Cu{sub 2}O particles. • The photocatalytic property was studied upon simulated sunlight. • Enhanced photocatalytic property of Ag–Cu{sub 2}O composites, compared to pure Cu{sub 2}O particles. - Abstract: Silver–cuprous oxide (Ag–Cu{sub 2}O) microcomposites are successfully prepared by a facile low-cost solution method. The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Experiments demonstrated that the formation of Ag–Cu{sub 2}O microcomposites was significantly influenced by the concentration of AgNO{sub 3}, and with increasing the concentration of AgNO{sub 3}, the optical absorption of the composites becomes strong. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared Ag–Cu{sub 2}O composites was determined by measuring the degradation of methyl orange solution under visible light, to find out its potential application in waste water treatment. The results reveal that the photocurrent of the composite is about 4 times higher than that of pure Cu{sub 2}O and the visible light photocatalytic activity of the composite is enhanced greatly on degradation of methyl orange. The reason for improvement in photocatalytic activity of the Ag–Cu{sub 2}O composites was also discussed.

• OSTI ID: 22420695
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 60; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2014 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

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONCENTRATION RATIO
COPPER OXIDES
FIELD EMISSION
METHYL ORANGE
NANOCOMPOSITES
NANOSTRUCTURES
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOCATALYSIS
PRECIPITATION
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SILVER
SILVER NITRATES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY