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CuCu 2 OTiO 2 Nanojunction Systems with an Unusual Electron–Hole Transportation Pathway and Enhanced Photocatalytic Properties
Author(s) -
Xing Jun,
Chen Zu Peng,
Xiao Fang Yuan,
Ma Xue Yan,
Wen Ci Zhang,
Li Zhen,
Yang Hua Gui
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
chemistry – an asian journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.18
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1861-471X
pISSN - 1861-4728
DOI - 10.1002/asia.201300019
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , photodegradation , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , materials science , transmission electron microscopy , quenching (fluorescence) , photoluminescence , scanning electron microscope , photochemistry , field electron emission , electron , nanotechnology , chemistry , catalysis , chemical engineering , fluorescence , physics , optics , composite material , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , engineering , quantum mechanics
Multicomponent CuCu 2 OTiO 2 nanojunction systems were successfully synthesized by a mild chemical process, and their structure and composition were thoroughly analyzed by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy , field‐emission scanning electron microscopy , and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy . The as‐prepared CuCu 2 OTiO 2 (3 and 9 h) nanojunctions demonstrated higher photocatalytic activities under UV/Vis light irradiation in the process of the degradation of organic compounds than those of the CuCu 2 O, CuTiO 2 , and Cu 2 OTiO 2 starting materials. Moreover, time‐resolved photoluminescence spectra demonstrated that the quenching times of electrons and holes in CuCu 2 OTiO 2 (3 h) is higher than that of CuCu 2 OTiO 2 (9 h); this leads to a better photocatalytic performance of CuCu 2 OTiO 2 (3 h). The improvement in photodegradation activity and electron–hole separation of CuCu 2 OTiO 2 (3 h) can be ascribed to the rational coupling of components and dimensional control. Meanwhile, an unusual electron–hole transmission pathway for photocatalytic reactions over CuCu 2 OTiO 2 nanojunctions was also identified.