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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 67(5)

Improved Photocatalytic Activity of Copper Heterostructure Composites (Cu–Cu2O–CuO/AC) Prepared by Simple Carbothermal Reduction

Hongchao Ma A , Yifeng Liu A , Yinghuan Fu A B , Chunling Yu A , Xiaoli Dong A B , Xiufang Zhang A , Xinxin Zhang A and Wenping Xue A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Chemistry Engineering & Material, Dalian Polytechnic University, No. 1 Qinggongyuan, Ganjinzi District, Dalian 116034, China.

B Corresponding authors. Email: fuyinghuan@sina.com; Dongxl@dlpu.edu.cn

Australian Journal of Chemistry 67(5) 749-756 https://doi.org/10.1071/CH13456
Submitted: 31 August 2013  Accepted: 17 December 2013   Published: 30 January 2014

Abstract

Cu–Cu2O–CuO/activated carbon heterostructure composites with visible-light activity have been successfully synthesized by a simple carbothermal reduction procedure using CuSO4 as a single precursor. The resultant samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The results showed that the Cu–Cu2O–CuO composites with size less than 10 nm dispersed well on the surface of activated carbon. Activated carbon played both a reducing agent and support role in the formation of Cu–Cu2O–CuO/activated carbon heterostructure composites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis suggests that the outside of the nanoparticles is CuO and the inside of the nanoparticles is Cu metal and Cu2O. Moreover, the composition of Cu–Cu2O–CuO/activated carbon composites can be tailored by varying the Cu loading, heat-treatment temperature, and heat-treatment time. The photocatalytic activities of the catalysts were investigated by degrading reactive brilliant blue KN-R under visible-light irradiation. The Cu–Cu2O–CuO/activated carbon heterostructure composites showed excellent photocatalytic activity compared with other catalysts (pure CuO, Cu2O, Cu2O/activated carbon, CuO/activated carbon, and Cu2O–CuO/activated carbon), which is ascribed to synergistic action between the activated carbon support and photoactive copper species, and the presence of interfacial structures such as a Cu2O/CuO heterostructure, Cu/Cu2O (or CuO) Schottky barrier, and Cu2O/Cu/CuO ohmic heterojunction.


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