Hybrid Cu_xO–TiO₂ porous hollow nanospheres: preparation, characterization and photocatalytic properties

摘要

A series of Cu_xO–TiO₂ hollow nanospherical composites with different mass percents of copper were prepared by an impregnation method, and the TiO₂ hollow nanospheres were prepared by hydrolysis of tetraethoxy titanium on the surface of spherical SiO₂ nanoparticles and corrosion of SiO₂ in NaOH solution. Cu_xO–TiO₂ hollow nanospheres displayed higher photocatalytic activities towards acetaldehyde degradation to CO₂ than TiO₂@SiO₂ nanospheres and TiO₂ hollow nanospheres under UV and visible-light irradiation due to the narrowed band gap of TiO₂ and enhanced charge separation after copper was introduced. In particular, the Cu_xO–TiO₂ hollow nanospheres show high catalytic activities in degradation under visible-light irradiation.