Cu2O decorated carbon-incorporated TiO2 microspheres with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fang, Yalin; Sun, Mingxuan; Wang, Ying; Sun, Shanfu; He, Jia
• Is Part Of: Materials research bulletin. Volume 74(2016)
• Page Start: 265
• Page End: 270
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: A. Composites -- A. Oxides -- A. Surfaces -- B. Chemical synthesis -- B. Microstructure -- D. Catalytic properties; Materials -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Crystal growth; Materials; Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2015.10.053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-5408

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Cu2 O decorated carbon-incorporated TiO2 microspheres were successfully fabricated. Enhanced visible light response and improved photodegradation rate were observed. The effect of deposition amount of Cu2 O on the photocatalytic properties was detected. Both Cu2 O and carbon played an important role to improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 . Abstract: Carbon-incorporated TiO2 microspheres (CTMs), produced by a flame assisted hydrolysis method, were successfully decorated with Cu2 O nanoparticles via a chemical bath deposition process. A red shift of absorption edge and enhanced visible light absorption were observed for the resulted Cu2 O/CTMs composites compared with bare TiO2 and CTMs. Their effective visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity and the effect of deposition amount of Cu2 O on the photocatalytic properties were determined by the degradation of methylene blue. The highest degradation rate was achieved for Cu2 O/CTMs composite (29.2%) compared to CTMs (18.5%) and bare TiO2 (7.3%) under visible light illumination for 80 min. The improved photoactivity can be ascribed to the integrative synergistic effect of carbon and Cu2 O on TiO2 . This work develops a rapid and facile approach for the fabrication of Cu2 O decorated carbon-incorporated TiO2 microspheres composites and demonstrates it is an efficient route to improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 .