Abstract
Plasmonic nanostructures can enhance the photocatalytic efficiency of semiconductors under visible light irradiation. While the plasmonic-enhanced photocatalysis has been widely studied, rigorous efforts focus on designing novel noble metal nanostructures by altering particle size, shape, and composition to optimize their interaction with light to influence the catalytic properties. However, the need for a more cost-effective material as an alternative for noble metals has led us toward the exploration of copper and their oxides for photocatalysis. In this work, we synthesize different morphologies of copper nanostructures (i.e., 10 nm and 50 nm nanoparticles, as well as nanowires. Copper nanostructures are prone to be oxidized over time; however, the degree of oxidation varies with the size and shape of the nanostructure, thereby creating hybrid copper/copper oxide nanostructures with unique optical and (photo)catalytic properties. The hybrid nanostructures are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Their optical properties are studied by UV-vis spectroscopy along with simulation. We then further study the use of these hybrid nanostructures as (photo)catalysts for redox reactions – the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and the oxidation of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). The (photo)catalytic properties will be correlated with the size, shape, and the degree of oxidation of these hybrid nanostructures. The mechanisms of both reactions on the hybrid copper/copper oxide (photo)catalysts will be discussed.
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 call