Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance under Visible and Near-Infrared Irradiation of Cu1.8Se/Cu₃Se₂ Composite via a Phase Junction.

Li-Na Qiao,Yuan-Hua Lin,Ce-Wen Nan,Huan-Chun Wang,Yang Shen

doi:10.3390/nano7010019

Li-Na Qiao, Yuan-Hua Lin + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/nano7010019

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Journal: Nanomaterials	Publication Date: Jan 18, 2017
Citations: 30	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Tsinghua University

Abstract

A novel Cu1.8Se/Cu3Se2 composite photocatalyst was prepared by the simple precipitation method. This composite possesses a wide photoabsorption until the range of near-infrared light, and exhibits significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for methyl orange degradation under visible and near-infrared light irradiation compared with bare Cu1.8Se and Cu3Se2. The mechanism of this outstanding photocatalytic behavior can be explained by the calculated energy band positions. The efficient charge separation via a phase junction of Cu1.8Se/Cu3Se2 composite would make a great contribution to its much-enhanced photocatalytic efficiency.

Highlights

Semiconductor photocatalysis for the degradation of organic pollutants using solar light energy is a promising approach to solving environmental issue
The design of a broad light spectrum photocatalyst with heterogeneous structure is of great significance
The Cu1.8 Se/Cu3 Se2 heterogeneous structure prepared by the simple precipitation method exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible and NIR light irradiation, which is 3.4 and 9.1 times higher than that of bare Cu1.8 Se and Cu3 Se2

Summary

Introduction

Semiconductor photocatalysis for the degradation of organic pollutants using solar light energy is a promising approach to solving environmental issue. Photocatalysts with outstanding photocatalytic properties have been found, such as TiO2 and ZnO in the UV spectral range [6,7], and CdS and Bi2 WO6 in the visible range [8,9], and only few semiconductors present near-infrared (NIR) photoactivity, such as Cu2 (OH)PO4 and WS2 [10,11]. Au-tipped PbSe/CdSe/CdS core/shell/shell heterostructure nanocrystals are active NIR photocatalysts for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) [16], and Bi2 WO6 /TiO2 heterojunction can harness UV, visible, and near-infrared light, and exhibits enhanced broad-spectrum photocatalytic properties to decompose methyl orange (MO) [17]. The design of a broad light spectrum photocatalyst with heterogeneous structure is of great significance

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