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TiO2/Cu2O composite is prepared by a simple electrochemical method and coated on glass matrix through a spraying method. The obtained composite is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of TiO2/Cu2O composite films with different ratio of TiO2 and Cu2O on photodegradation of the dye methylene blue under visible light is investigated in detail. It is found that the photocatalytic activity of TiO2/Cu2O composite film with the presence of FeSO4 and EDTA is much higher than that for the similar system with only TiO2 and Cu2O film respectively. Without the presence of FeSO4 and EDTA, there is no degradation for methylene blue. The exploration of the optimized parameters for the degradation of methylene blue by using TiO2/Cu2O composite film as catalyst under visible light was also carried out. The most significant factor is the amount of Ti02 in the composite, and the second significant factor is the concentration of FeSO4. During the degradation of methylene blue under visible light, TiO2/Cu2O composite film generates H202, and Fenton regent is formed with Fe2+ and EDTA, which is detected in this study. The mechanism for the great improvement of photocatalytic activity of TiO2/Cu2O composite film under visible light is proposed by the valence band theory. Electrons excitated from TiO2/Cu2O composite under visible light are transferred from the conduction band of Cu2O to that of Ti02. The formed intermediate state of Ti 3+ ion is observed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) on the TiO/Cu2O composite film. Additionally, the accumulated electrons in the conduction band of TiO2 are transferred to oxygen on the TiO2 surface for the formation of O2- or O2(2-), which combines with H+ to form H2O2. The evolved H202 with FeSO4 and EDTA forms Fenton reagentto degrade methylene blue. Compared to the traditional Fenton reagent, this new kind of in situ Fenton reagent generated from TiO2/Cu2O composite film does not need to supply H202. It is expected to be easily recycled, which may reduce second pollution and the cost of wastewater treatment. Moreover, this TiO/Cu2O composite film with FeSO4 and EDTA provides a new way to take advantage of TiO2 under visible light.

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Cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles dotted on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been synthesized by the polyol method. The as-prepared materials were characterized by x-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller adsorption analysis. The results indicate that CdS nanoparticles with diameter of 5-8 nm are thickly and uniformly coated on the surface of the MWCNTs. The photodegradation of azo dye using these materials was evaluated by the degradation of Brilliant Red X-3B under visible light. The coated nanotubes show higher photocatalytic activity than both CdS alone and a CdS/activated carbon sample; in addition, there is an optimum content of MWCNTs. The presence of MWCNTs can also hamper the photocorrosion of CdS. The mechanism for the enhancement of MWCNTs on the adsorption and photocatalytic property of CdS is investigated for the first time.

The shape-controlled synthesis of nanostructured materials has opened up new possibilities to improve their physical and chemical properties. In this work, new types of monoclinic structured BiVO4 with complex morphologies, namely flowerlike, disclike, tubelike and platelike shapes, have been synthesized in a binary green solvent (water and ethanol) through controlling reaction conditions such as solvent, pH value, concentration of precursors and reaction temperature. The morphology of BiVO4 can transform from three-dimensional (3D) flowerlike superstructures and hexagonal-prismatic nanotubes to two-dimensional (2D) platelike and disclike structures. UV-vis absorption spectra show that all of the prepared nano- and microstructures can respond to visible light and the optical properties of BiVO4 samples are relevant to their structures. More importantly, the photocatalytic activities of various BiVO4 samples are strongly dependent on their morphology for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible-light irradiation. The 2D (disclike and platelike) BiVO4 demonstrates better photocatalytic activity than 3D and bulk BiVO4. Among the nano- and microstructures, the nanoplate BiVO4 exhibit the highest photocatalytic activity for degradation of organic pollutants. Additionally, it is found that the different microstructure of BiVO4 leads to the different degradation route for organic compounds of RhB. The reasons for the differences in the photocatalytic behavior for these BiVO4 nanostructures are further discussed. The relationship between the microstructure and the photocatalytic activity for BiVO4 may give clues for the preparation of photocatalysts with high activity based on material morphology design. Moreover, the prepared 2D BiVO4 can be a good photocatalyst used in environmental pollution control.