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Based on highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays (NTAs), we successfully fabricated the Cu2O-TiO2 NTA heterojunction by a simple thermal decomposition process for the first time. The anodic TiO2 NTAs were functioned as both “nano-container” and “nano-reactors” to load and synthesize the narrow band Cu2O nanoparticles. The loaded Cu2O expanded absorption spectrum of the TiO2 NTAs from ultraviolent range to visible light range. We found that the Cu2O-TiO2 NTA heterojunction films had visible activity towards photocatalytic degrading methyl orange (MO). The photocatalytic abilities of the Cu2O-TiO2 NTA heterojunction films were found increased with the Cu2O content from 0.05 to 0.3 mol/L. This could be explained by more electron-hole pairs generated and less recombination, when the Cu2O-TiO2 heterojunction got formed. Here, we put forward this promising method, hoping it can facilitate the mass production and applications of Cu2O-TiO2 NTA heterojunction. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s11671-018-2637-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

TiO2 NSAs/graphene/Cu2O was fabricated on the carbon fiber to use as photocastalysts by coating Cu2O on the graphene (G) decorated TiO2 nanosheet arrays (NSAs). The research focus on constructing the composite structure and investigating the reason to enhance the photocatalytic ability. The morphological, structural, and photocatalytic properties of the as-synthesized products were characterized. The experimental results indicate that the better photocatalytic performance is ascribed to the following reasons. First, the TiO2 NSAs/graphene/Cu2O composite structure fabricated on the carbon cloth can form a 3D structure which can provide a higher specific surface area and enhance the light absorption. Second, the graphene as an electron sink can accept the photoelectrons from the photoexcited Cu2O which will reduce the recombination. Third, the TiO2 nanosheet can provide more favorable carrier transportation channel which can reduce the recombination of carriers. Finally, the Cu2O can extend the light absorption range.

Cu2O hierarchical nanostructures with different morphologies were successfully synthesized by a solvothermal method using copper (II) nitrate trihydrate (Cu(NO3)2⋅3H2O) and ethylene glycol (EG) as initial reagents. The obtained nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area test, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The synthesis conditions (copper source, temperature, and reaction time) dominated the compositions and the formation of crystals with different morphologies. The visible light photocatalytic properties of as-prepared Cu2O nanostructures were investigated with and without hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and the effect of H2O2 were evaluated by monitoring the degradation of methyl orange (MO) with various amounts of H2O2. It was revealed that the degree of the photodegradation of MO depends on the amount of H2O2 and the morphology of Cu2O. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s11671-014-0726-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Cu2O p-type semiconductor hollow porous microspheres have been prepared by using a simple soft-template method at room temperature. The morphology of as-synthesized samples is hollow spherical structures with the diameter ranging from 200 to 500 nm, and the surfaces of the spheres are rough, porous and with lots of channels and folds. The photocatalytic activity of degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation was investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy. The results show that the hollow porous Cu2O particles were uniform in diameters and have an excellent ability in visible light-induced degradation of MO. Meanwhile, the growth mechanism of the prepared Cu2O was also analyzed. We find that sodium dodecyl sulfate acted the role of soft templates in the synthesis process. The hollow porous structure was not only sensitive to the soft template but also to the amount of reagents.