Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of Superfine Cu₂O Sphere with Smooth Surface on Degradation of Methyl Orang

Abstract

Superfine cuprous oxide (Cu2O) spheres with smooth surface have been successfully synthesized by using gelatin as template. The possible mechanism for the formation of superfine Cu2O sphere is revealed. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscope (TEM) indicated that the as-obtained powder was cubic structure, pure, uniform, monodispersed Cu2O spherical polycrystalline with smooth surface. What’s more, the photocatalytic activity of the superfine Cu2O spherical polycrystalline is investigated under visible light irradiation. It is worth noting that the superfine Cu2O microspheres have a highly selective adsorption for anionic dyes, such as methyl orange, and the mechanisms of absorption were mainly attributed to electrostatic adsorption.