Abstract
Copper oxide (CuxO) nanostructures coated with the titanium dioxide (TiO2) are expected to improve the charge separation efficiency and photoactivity in the photosynthesis and pollutant treatment. In this study, as an alternative fabrication method, CuxO nanowires coated with TiO2 have been produced by thermal oxidation of the copper foil at different temperatures (400–600 °C) and times (2 and 4 h) in ambient conditions and subsequently, hydrolyzed in different molar concentrations (20, 40 and 80 mM) on CuxO nanowires by immersing and then heat treating the mixture of titanium (IV) isopropoxide and isopropyl alcohol. The characteristics of the CuxO/TiO2 nanostructures were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results showed that the CuO layer was peeled off from the copper foil in the thermal oxidation process which was carried out at a temperature higher than 500 °C and for >2 h. The ideal temperature/time for high nanowire density and aspect ratio of CuO nanowire growth is 450 °C for 2 h. TEM - SAED diffraction pattern of TiO2 coating surface belongs to anatase crystal phase for all prepared samples. Thickness of TiO2 coating increased with increasing concentration but in the highest concentration (80 mM), Ti was not coated on the CuO nanowire and diffuses into the interior. For 20 mM and 40 mM concentration prepared CuxO/TiO2 nanostructures, measured coating thickness was about to 2 nm and 10 nm, respectively.Photocatalytic activity of CuxO/TiO2 catalysts was evaluated by measuring the rate of photodegradation reaction of Reactive Red (RR180) azo dyes under UVA-light. As a result, the CuxO/TiO2 catalyst which was subjected to thermal oxidation at 450 °C for 2 h and hydrolyzed in 40 mM solution shows the highest degradation rate of 35%. It is clearly stated that the degradation rate is highly dependent on nanowire density, nanowire aspect ratio and coated layer thickness.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
