Photo-catalytic property of Cu2O prepared by room temperature liquid phase redox method

Cuprous oxides (Cu2O) with different shapes, such as spheres and octahedron, have been synthesized by facial wet-solution method at room temperature. Its structure, morphology and photo-catalytic performance were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scan electron microscope (SEM) and spectrophotometer. The concentration of NaOH has significant effects on the formation and growth of these Cu2O particles. The possible growth mechanism of the Cu2O crystal was discussed. Its photo-catalytic activities in the degradation of methyl orange as the model pollutant using incandescence light as an energy source were investigated. The result indicates that the spherical Cu2O shows a superior photo-catalytic activity to methyl orange than octahedral Cu/Cu2O composite material at initial reaction time. However, octahedral Cu/Cu2O composite demonstrated better photo-catalytic activity and structure stability when presented in methyl orange solution for a long time about 25d.