Photocatalytic Degradation of Cuprous Oxide Nanostructures Under UV/Visible Irradiation

摘要

Different morphologies of Cu_2O have been synthesized via solution grown reduction route method using reducing agents as anhydrous dextrose and ascorbic acid and surfactants as Poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The hollow and porous morphology of polyhedrons and irregular spherical growth of nano-particles have been analyzed employing transmission electron microscope. The crystallinity, structure, and phase purity of products were analyzed using X-ray diffraction and Electron Diffraction Spectroscopy techniques. None of the impurity signals were detected due to the presence of impurity ions in the present investigations. The absorption and photocatalytic behavior of Cu_2O nanotsructures were investigated on the basis of total surface area available for catalytic activity using absorption spectroscopy. From obtained results, it is confirmed that Cu_2O polyhedrons possesses higher (99.56 %) photocatalytic activity and lower adsorption capacity (32.81 %) compare to Cu_2O nanoparticles. The tentative mechanism herein involved is also discussed in detail.