Cu2O on anodised TiO2 nanotube arrays: A heterojunction photoanode for visible light assisted electrochemical degradation of pharmaceuticals in water

Studies on the substrate-dependent photocatalytic properties of Cu2O heterojunctions

“…Cu 2 O/TNA/Ti behaved as a photoanode analogous to TNA/Ti. 27,29 Cu 2 O absorbed UVvisible light and generated electron-hole pairs. The photogenerated electrons in the conduction band of Cu 2 O were transferred to the conduction band of TNA and then to the Ti back contact, and photogenerated holes in the valence band of TNA were transferred to the valence band of Cu 2 O and then to the Na 2 SO 4 electrolyte, serving as a photoanodic current.…”

“…It is a common belief that the built-in potential could lead to charge separation enhancement at the Cu 2 O/TNA junction, where the photogenerated electrons in the conduction band of Cu 2 O to dri toward the conduction band of TNA and the photogenerated holes in the valence band of TNA to dri toward the valence band of Cu 2 O. [25][26][27][28][29] Enhanced charge separation created in the junction can reduce the probability of electronhole recombination and enhance photocatalysis. To understand the presence of charge separation enhancement at the Cu 2 O/TNA junction, photoluminescence (PL) and TRPL of all samples were applied.…”

“…It is considered that the heterojunction enhance the separation of photogenerated charges. [25][26][27][28][29] In fact, the enhancement of the charge separation at Cu 2 O/TNA junction to assist in photocatalysis has yet to be veried.…”

Cu2O as an emerging semiconductor in photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic treatment of water contaminated with organic substances: a review

“…In a bid to utilize the free energy source, sunlight can be used to drive PEC and this is known as solar PEC. 27 Cu 2 O has been widely adjudged as one of the promising visible light active semiconductors whose application cuts across areas such as: photocatalysis, 28 photoelectrocatalysis, 29 water splitting, 30 hydrogen evolution, 31 sensor applications, 32 solar cells 33 and Li-ion battery. 34 Cu 2 O possesses a good solar energy harvesting potential owing to the fact that it has a narrow band gap (2.0-2.4 eV).…”

“…Scavenger studies revealed the holes as the major oxidant while conclusively, the photoanode was found to be stable and reusable aer 10 runs. 29 The extent of degradation when Cu 2 O is coupled with TiO 2 seems to be inuenced by the structural morphology of the TiO 2 , with nanotube arrays yielding better performance. 29,91,92 Other reports on the photoelectrocatalytic application of Cu 2 O in the removal of organic pollutants can be found in Table 3.…”