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Abstract: Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized using copper acetate as precursors via a polyol process. The as-synthesized products were easily deposited on the surface of carbon nanofibres (CNFs) and then were characterized through XRD, FESEM, TEM and FTIR, etc. The photocatalytic performance of these composite films was evaluated using methyl orange as a model organic compound under visible light irradiation. Results showed that the shape of Cu2O nanparticles could be changed from irregular nanoparticle to cubic, flower-like particle assembled by Cu2O nanocubes with the change of the reaction conditions. All of these Cu2O/CNFs composite films showed the satisfied photocatalytic activity to methyl orange even after 3 cycles of degradation experiment due to the protectable function of carbon fibre films to the Cu2O nanocrystals. The Cu2O/CNFs composite films may offer a feasible method for the potential application of Cu2O nanocrystals in the treatment of organic contamination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• In-situ synthesis of cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O) on cotton and coating with nanocellulose, the Cu 2 O crystal structures was ideal octahedron and not easy to ditch. • COCO-5 exhibited high photocatalytic degradation of dyes, and the catalytic degradation process was monitored by comprehensive technical tests. • COCO-5 exhibited highly effective antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. • COCO-5 maintained high stability after multiple photocatalytic degradation of dyes or antibacterial tests, and the mechanical properties of this composite had not decreased. In this study, the cotton fabrics/cuprous oxide-nanocellulose (Cu 2 O-NC) flexible and recyclable composite material (COCO) with highly efficient photocatalytic degradation of dyes and antibacterial properties was fabricated. Using flexible cotton fabrics as substrates, Cu 2 O were in-situ synthesized to make Cu 2 O uniformly grew on cotton fibers and were wrapped with NC. The photocatalytic degradation ability of COCO-5 was verified by use methylene blue (MB), the degradation rate was as high as 98.32%. The mechanism of COCO-5 photocatalysis and the process of dye degradation were analyzed by using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum, transient photocurrent response (TPR) spectrum, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and ion chromatography (IC). This study analyzed the complete path from electron excitation to dye degradation to harmless small molecules. Qualitative and quantitative experiments demonstrate that COCO-5 has high antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli , the highest antibacterial rate can reach 93.25%. Finally, the stability of COCO-5 was verified by recycling and mechanical performance tests. The textile-based Cu 2 O functionalized material has photocatalytic degradation and antibacterial properties, and the preparation process is simple and convenient for repeated use, so it has great potential in wastewater treatment containing dyes and bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]