Abstract
CuxO (x = 1 or 2)/Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposite was prepared through a two-step process including copper electroless deposition on CNTs followed by chemical-thermal oxidation. The effect of electroless deposition time and hence copper oxide content on the photocatalytic activity was studied, and 30 min of deposition was optimal. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman results confirm the formation of both crystalline CuO and Cu2O phases. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed the dispersion of copper oxide nanoparticles onto the surface of CNTs. The diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) results showed that decreasing the copper oxide content decreases the bandgap and the electron-hole pairs recombination rate. The photocatalytic activity was investigated for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. Relatively complete methylene blue (MB) degradation was obtained after 120 min for a 2 mg/L solution, while about 70% of methyl orange (MO) was degraded. The stability of the sample was also investigated, and the sample was able to maintain its performance after three cycles.
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